Transportation & Land Use

Kids and Transportation Program

Elementary School Presentations
Middle School Presentations
High School Presentations
Teacher Classes
Brochures and Guides
ExploreME Map

Program Description

The Kids and Transportation Program teaches students and teachers about how transportation choices impact air quality, land use, economics and communities. Administered by the Greater Portland Council of Governments, the program encourages walking, bicycling, carpooling, transportation on ferries, trains, planes and buses, and alternative fuels. Some elements include safety programs for elementary students.

Since this program began in 1994, we have served over 30,000 students, delivering thousands of presentations throughout Maine. We primarily serve areas south of Bangor, with the exception of York County. For presentations in York County, see our sister program, Kids and Transportation of York County.

Funding
The program is funded by federal funds administered by the Maine Department of Transportation. Matching funds are provided by private contributors.

Staffing
The program is managed by Erik West. For more information please email or call 207-774-9891.

Brochures and Maps

• The Kids Guide to Getting Around Portland
• Bicycle Safety Guide
• School Bus/City Bus Safety Guide
• Safe Walking Guide
• Rail Safety Guide
• Program Brochure

For more information or to receive brochures or maps, please contact Erik West at 774-9891or ewest@gpcog.org

---

Elementary School

Class Presentations

• All presentations are FREE of CHARGE and booked on an individual basis.
• Multiple presentations can be given in one day or several days.

Bike Safety K–8th grade. Time: K–2nd / 20 minutes; 3rd–8th / 40–60 minutes. Covers helmets, safe riding techniques, road rules, clothing, bike perspective vs. car perspective.

Stand-alone Bike Safety Skills Course (Rodeo) 3rd–8th grade. Time: 30 minutes per class or 2-3 hour event.
Riding techniques practiced by students on their bicycles, plus rules of the road skills. Helmets are required to participate. We suggest a helmet drive beforehand at school or with local organizing group (Girl Scouts, Kiwanis, etc.) Remember, Maine law requires helmets for all bicycle riders under the age of 16.

Bus Safety K–8th grade. Time: K–2nd /20 minutes; 3rd–8th / 40 minutes. Covers school bus rules vs. city bus rules, how to ride, passenger perspective vs. driver perspective.

Pedestrian Safety K–8th grade . Time: K–2nd / 20 minutes; 3rd–8th / 40 minutes. Covers rules, clothing, night-time issues, pedestrian perspective vs. car or bike perspective.

Rail Safety K–12th grade. Time: K–2nd / 20 minutes; 3rd–12th / 40 minutes.
Age-appropriate PowerPoint presentation. May include video or handout.

Map Interpretation Skills 4th–8th grade. Time: 40 minutes.
Using “Kids Guide to Getting Around Portland” or local map, introduction to maps and how to use them.

Bus or Train Schedule Interpretation Skills 4th–8th grade. Time: 40 minutes
Using METRO Bus, Casco Bay Ferry or Amtrak schedules with local maps.

Public Transportation Trip Planning/Field Trip 4th–8th grade. Time: 40- 60 minutes + field trip. Financial assistance available. Using destination determined by class, and Map/Schedule Interpretation Skills.

Top

Middle School

Class Presentations

• All presentations are FREE of CHARGE and booked on an individual basis.
• Multiple presentations can be given in one day or several days.

Health and Safety

(Health)
Bike Safety 5th-8th grade. Time: 40-60 minutes. Covers helmets, safe riding techniques, road rules, clothing, bike perspective vs. car perspective.

(Health)
Bus Safety 5th-8th grade. Time: 40 minutes. Covers school bus rules vs. city bus rules, how to ride, passenger perspective vs. driver perspective.

(Health)
Pedestrian Safety 5th—8th grade. Time: 40 minutes. Covers rules, clothing, night-time issues, pedestrian perspective vs. car or bike perspective.

(Health)
Rail Safety 5th—12th grade. Time: 40 minutes
Age-appropriate PowerPoint presentation. May include video or handout.

(Health)
Part of town event
On any Kids and Transportation topic, tailored to event goals and guidelines

Field Trip Planning / Maps / Transit Schedule Interpretation

(Health/Social Studies/Science)
Transportation and the Environment — Community planning 5th-8th grade. Time: 40-60 minutes.
In-class workshop/presentation identifying transportation options, health impacts and healthy choices. May include brainstorm / mapping exercise creating a healthy community. Site specific to school/ town.

(Social Studies/Science)
Map Interpretation Skills 4th—8th grade. Time: 40 minutes
Using “Kids Guide to Getting Around Portland” or local map, introduction to maps and how to use them.

(Social Studies/Science)
Bus or Train Schedule Interpretation Skills 4th—8th grade. Time: 40 minutes.
Using METRO Bus, Casco Bay Ferry or Amtrak Schedules with local maps.

(Social Studies/Science)
Public Transportation Trip Planning/Field Trip 4th—8th grade. Time: 40-60 minutes + field trip. Financial assistance available. Using destination determined by class, and Map/Schedule Interpretation Skills.

(Social Studies/Science)
Map Making/Interpretation 5th-8th grade. Time: Two class periods.
(See additional Map Presentations above too). Using different maps to create a specialized map.

(Social Studies/Science/Math/English)
Trip Planning and Air Quality 4th—8th grade. Time: 40-60 minutes
In-class workshop/presentation designing trip, estimating pollution generated and cost. Can be combined with writing exercises on places to be visited, travel brochure, etc.

Transportation Alternatives / Alternative Fuels / Costs of Transportation

(Science)
Hybrid Gas/Electric Vehicle Alternative Transportation Modes and Air Quality 5th—12th grade. Time: 40-60 minutes. Examines the impacts of conventional automobiles and possible alternatives.
Includes actual Hybrid Car with presentation (Honda Civic or Honda Insight)

(Science)
Hydrogen and Transportation
5th—12th grade. Time: 40-60 minutes
In-class PowerPoint presentation and class discussion on Hydrogen’s current and future role in transportation. Air quality, state of technology, logistical, infrastructure and financial considerations included.

(Social Studies/Science )
History of Transportation in America presentation 5th—12th grade. Time: 40-60 minutes.
PowerPoint presentation used as intro to topic or mid unit. This leads to more student questions than it answers. Covers history, air quality laws, oil, auto, bicycle, transit development in the U.S.

(Economics, Social Behavior)
The Cost of Car Ownership
Grades: 9th-12th, Time: 40–60 minutes. Presented by Master car mechanic Sarah Cushman and based on costs and strategies of ownership, maintenance, repairs and driving habits. Includes PowerPoint presentation.

Top

High School

Class Presentations

• All presentations are FREE of CHARGE and booked on an individual basis.
• Multiple presentations can be given in one day or several days.

Health and Safety

(Health)
Bike Safety 9th-12th grade. Time: 40-60 minutes. Covers helmets, safe riding techniques, road rules, clothing, bike perspective vs. car perspective.

(Health)
Rail Safety 5th–12th grade. Time: 40 minutes
Age-appropriate PowerPoint presentation. May include video or handout.

(Health)
Part of town event
On any Kids and Transportation topic, tailored to event goals and guidelines

(Health/Social Studies/Science)
Transportation and the Environment – Community Planning 9th-12th grade. Time: 40-60 minutes.
In-class workshop/presentation identifying transportation options, health impacts and healthy choices. May include brainstorm/mapping exercise creating a healthy community. Site specific to school/town.

Field Trip Planning / Maps / Transit Schedule Interpretation

(Social Studies/Science)
Map Interpretation Skills 9th–12th grade. Time: 40 minutes.
Using “Kids Guide to Getting Around Portland” or local map, introduction to maps and how to use them.

(Social Studies/Science)
Bus or Train Schedule Interpretation Skills 9th–12th grade. Time: 40 minutes
Using METRO Bus, Casco Bay Ferry or Amtrak Schedules with local maps.

(Social Studies/Science)
Public Transportation Trip Planning/Field Trip 9th–12th grade. Time: 40-60 minutes + field trip. Financial assistance available.
Using destination determined by class, and Map / Schedule Interpretation Skills.

(Social Studies/Science)
Map Making/Interpretation 5th-12th grade. Time: Two class periods.
(See additional Map Presentations above too). Using different maps to create a specialized map.)

(Social Studies/Science/Math/English)
Trip Planning and Air Quality 9th–12th grade. Time: 40-60 minutes.
In-class workshop/presentation designing trip, estimating pollution generated and cost. Can be combined with writing exercises on places to be visited, travel brochure, etc.

Transportation Alternatives / Alternative Fuels / Costs of Transportation

(Science)
Hybrid Gas/Electric Vehicle Alternative Transportation Modes and Air Quality 5th–12th grade. Time: 40-60 minutes.
Includes actual Hybrid Car with presentation (Toyota Prius/Honda Insight)

(Science)
Hydrogen Gas and Transportation 9th–12th grade. Time: 40-60 minutes.
In-class PowerPoint presentation and class discussion on Hydrogen’s current and future role in transportation. Air quality, state of technology, logistical, infrastructure and financial considerations included.

(Social Studies/Science )
History of Transportation in America presentation 9th–12th grade. Time: 40-60 minutes.
PowerPoint presentation used as intro to topic or mid unit. This leads to more student questions than it answers. Covers history, air quality laws, oil, auto, bicycle, transit development in the U.S.

(Economics, Social Behavior)
The Cost of Car Ownership
Grades: 9th-12th, Time: 40—60 minutes. Presented by Master car mechanic Sarah Cushman and based on costs and strategies of ownership, maintenance, repairs and driving habits. Includes PowerPoint presentation.

Top

Teacher Courses

Teachers receive the resources to integrate transportation topics into their classroom. These classes look at transportation from a rural and urban perspective, linking it to math, science, geography, history and economics. These are offered on request at participating schools. The Summer Institute offers an intensive, mobile version, taught through the University of New England.

Five-Week Class
This class meets once a week, in your school. Teachers receive Contact Hours toward recertification. Classes meet after school from 3:30-5:00 p.m. Minimum of five teachers required to hold Class. There is no charge. Classes scheduled by teacher demand on first come/first served basis.

Topics include the background for many of the presentations listed above to allow teachers to adapt the presentations for their own use or simply gain a more widespread knowledge. Through a variety of means classes will cover:

• The role of transportation in community development, including the division of communities and as an economic stimulus.
• Pollution impacts of transportation.
• The options that exist in your community, Maine and the US and how to use them in the classroom.
• How the US compares to other countries in transportation options and trends.

Summer Teacher Institute: Transportation as a Teaching Tool

This roving class covers local and national transportation topics with lessons and experiences you can take into your classroom. Classes usually meet at a different location each day, using different forms of transportation. Bring these experiences into the classroom and meet both the Maine Learning Results and your classroom goals. Grades 1-8.

Activities may include:
* Driving an electric car to the DEP Air Monitoring site.
* History presentations aboard the Amtrak DownEaster.
* A tour of the Maine Turnpike Widening project
* Presentations from the head of the Portland Waterfront aboard the Peaks Island Ferry.
* Map and schedule interpretation
* Walking a local trail network