Alternative Transportation

Green Schools Challenge Activities:

• Community Building (Pre-K through 1st grade) - Green Transportation of Today & Tomorrow!

• Hands On Learning (2nd through 3rd grade) - What color is the air? 

• Lab Activity (4th through 5th grade) - What’s my carbon footprint? 

• Create Your Own (Pre-K through 5th grade) - Submit Lesson Plan  or utilize a previous lesson created by DIG from our Lesson Library.

Schools can choose to do more than one activity but maximum amount of points a school can earn for this topic is the same. Points for participation will be based on a rubric. Download here.

Alternative Transportation Activity Submission Form Click Here

What's the problem?

Transportation significantly impacts the environment and human health through several interconnected mechanisms. Vehicles emit pollutants like nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, and particulate matter, which contribute to air pollution and poor air quality. Additionally, the combustion of fossil fuels in transportation releases greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, exacerbating climate change and its associated effects like global warming and sea level rise. Noise pollution from traffic can disrupt sleep patterns, increase stress levels, and negatively affect mental health, while road accidents pose risks of injury and fatalities.  

Why should we care?

Transportation is the largest contributor to the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions. Moms Clean Air Force warns that exposure to polluted air increases the risk of diseases like asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and respiratory cancer. Air pollution from vehicles significantly impacts public health, especially for those living near busy roads, and also affects the economy; the EPA estimates approximately 4.8 million workdays are lost annually due to poor air quality.  

What can we do?

It is important that civilians use more public transportation, bike, walk, and carpool to reduce emissions and improve air quality. Schools play an important role by implementing transportation programs that cut emissions and improve air quality around campuses.  Events like “Bike to School Day” encourage students to ride their bikes instead of driving, helping keep the air cleaner and healthier.