Express Yourself
I-80 HOV* High School Education Program
Traffic congestion is one of the top regional challenges for Bay
Area residents. Improving education is one of the top statewide
concerns. On behalf of Caltrans IMLogo developed an educational
program addressing both of these issues, involving high schools
for the first time in this kind of transportation project. Through
a participatory program, students along the I-80 corridor from
State
Route 4 to Oakland became part of regional solutions to congestion.
High Schools involved included Oakland Tech, Pinole Valley,
El Cerrito,
Kennedy and Berkeley.
The I-80 HOV Express Yourself Education Program solicited student
contributions to address congestion on the I-80 corridor. This
program provided students classroom opportunities to examine how
the I-80 corridor relates to regional transportation issues (like
managing traffic congestion and addressing quality of life choices
for the Bay Area commuters) and then gave them a framework to develop
practicable solutions.
How the Program Worked:
The spirit of the I-80 HOV is to involve students in a “win/win”
campaign for their community. Students were partnered with community
leaders, business, and their families to transform textbook lessons
into applied solutions.
Through social studies, government, English, environmental studies,
computer science, visual arts and leadership courses, students will
address transportation issues while expanding leadership skills
into their own communities. Depending on school interests, students
wrote, analyzed, computed and communicated alternatives to traffic
congestion affecting their communities through: Art, posters and
essays , Web Pages, Photography, Radio programming, Videos,
Journalism and Environmental studies projects.
What Students Gained
Students learn how changing commute behaviors can increase the
quality of life for themselves and their communities. Student activities
were featured and promoted through community events and media outlets,
including Bay Area newspapers, newsletters, radio, community access
cable, web pages, and within the whole advertising campaign.
Students were matched with transportation and communication professionals
to expand students’ creativity and skills. These job shadowing/mentoring
opportunities were tailored to the demand and interest of teachers
and students. The unanimous reaction to this pilot project was how
to make it a continuing part of future school years.
* HOV: High Occupancy Vehicle
|
