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The Sustainable Transportation Education Project (STEP)

Image - Bus at intersection

The Pembina Institute for Appropriate Development is an independent, non-profit research and education organization. It promotes environmental, social and economic sustainability to businesses, governments, individuals and communities by developing practical solutions. 

What are they doing?

The Sustainable Transportation Education Project (STEP) uses a website to inform students and teachers about the environmental impacts of current transportation trends.

A complete backgrounder on sustainable transportation provides current and relevant information and supports the sustainable transportation classroom activity. The classroom activity begins with students using the backgrounder to explore the environmental and social impacts related to transportation. Student groups then research and present information on the best routes and means of transportation for people to commute from a specified location to a city center. Students can do this for their own city or a city close to their location.

The Solar Car poster highlights new and exciting transportation trends. Students can also use the solar car construction plans to build a model solar car.

The website links transportation issues to core curriculum objectives in secondary science programs across Canada. The website also provides links that highlight other environmental impacts related to energy usage and presents future trends in harnessing renewable energy.

What did the project accomplish?

Teachers want to give their students stimulating information and are always looking for new resources. Through the STEP project, the Pembina Institute has created a website to tell students and teachers more about the environmental impacts of current transportation options. Notable results include:

  • 20,000 copies of educational materials downloaded
  • Increased classroom understanding of renewable and sustainable energy technologies
  • Three of five partners will continue to support the project in the next stages
  • Backgrounder and lesson plans for four class periods, as well as a solar car poster with information about sustainable transportation
  • Program encourages students to choose alternative modes of transportation that reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Where can you find more information?

Image - Pembina Institute Logo

Date modified:
2010-08-30