The Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute at NDSU sent nearly 350 transportation-related educational activity packets to schools across North Dakota to kick off the institute's 50th anniversary.
The institute was established by the North Dakota Legislature in 1967 to foster a better understanding of transportation's role in the economy. Today, the Institute continues to provide innovative transportation research, education and outreach that promote the safe and efficient movement of people and goods.
Educational packets for fifth-graders focus on building awareness of the importance of transportation and will include a transportation activity sheet. "By increasing awareness of transportation's role in our daily lives, we hope to open your student's eyes to interesting careers in the transportation industry," communications and marketing assistant Makenzie Schmidt said.
A second packet aimed at seventh and eighth graders includes a state map and a science Olympiad-styled quiz sheet that is intended to build geography and map-reading skills. That packet will also include information on transportation careers.
"Middle-school-aged students can take on additional responsibilities during road trips by helping as a navigator. This is an ideal time to teach them about maps and navigation. This is also a good time to remind them how crucial the different modes of transportation are in their daily lives," said Kshitij Sharma, an associate research fellow with the institute.
Classes that complete the activities at either grade level, send photos of class members involved with transportation in some way, or that complete a transportation creation can be entered into a contest at each grade level to win a $100 gift card. In addition, selected winners and families will be invited to attend the institute's annual awards banquet in October.
Additional events to commemorate the institute's anniversary are being planned.
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