In Focus...
School Bus Subsidies for Field Trip to 2002 Tour De Sol,
The Great American Green Transportation Festival
CONTACTS:
Nancy Hazard (413) 774-6051 ext 18,
Chris Mason (413) 774-6051 ext 21
Greenfield, Mass. -- School bus subsidies are available to teachers who want to take their students on a field trip to the Tour de Sol: The Great American Green Transportation Festival next spring. The festival, which showcases new advanced transportation technologies and options, will be traveling during National Transportation Week, May 12-18, to Baltimore, Washington, DC, Annapolis, MD, Philadelphia, Trenton, NJ, and New York City. Special guided tours of the advanced vehicles built by high school and college students as well as major automobile, bicycle, and bus manufacturers, are free to students.
"This educational field trip is not only about cars and technology, it is about sociology, history, and current events," says Nancy Hazard, director of the Tour de Sol. "President Bush has made reduced dependence on foreign oil a national priority, but few people know that the US owns only 3 percent of the known oil reserves. This means we will never be able to supply all our own oil, and this threatens our economic and national security--unless we change how we get around."
What all the over 50 advanced vehicles on display have in common is that they use less gasoline--and, as a bonus, they cost less to run and emit less greenhouse gas emissions. Honda and Toyota's hybrid gas-electric vehicles, Ford's electric city cars and bikes, and DaimlerChrysler's electric neighborhood vehicle will give students an opportunity to experience these new vehicles first-hand. Kids can also try out the latest human-powered bicycles, new electric bikes, scooters and skateboards -- all fun and energy efficient ways of getting around. There will also be information about traditional transportation options such as walking, biking, and mass transit. Pre and post field trip activities are available to reinforce the educational experience.
The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA), organizer of the Tour de Sol, is also offering free teacher workshops on standards-based resources for middle and high school teachers that bring to life the impact of transportation on our society, and the solutions. Teacher workshops will be held next February and March in the Tour de Sol host communities. Workshops are free thanks to a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
For more information on school bus subsidies, field trips, workshops, and educational resources, contact NESEA at www.nesea.org or 413-774-6051.
Northeast Sustainable Energy Association
50 Miles St., Suite 3
Greenfield, MA 01301
phone: (413) 774-6051
fax: (413) 774-6053
www.nesea.org
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