CARS, CULTURES
AND CURES:
ENVIRONMENTAL
EDUCATION FOR K-12
Cars, Cultures and Cures is an environmental education course that was developed to heighten the awareness of personal responsibility as it relates to the automobile and the environment. The car has shaped 20th century American life. As the number of cars increased, city designs changed to accommodate this form of transportation. The car became the symbol of our commitment to individual freedom and mobility (the right to go where you want when you want). The use of the car has increased in the United States and around the world and has become a major source of air pollution and a contributor to global warming. Vehicle miles traveled (VMT) doubled between 1970 and 1990 and is expected to double again in the early 2000's. The intent of this course is to help students become aware of these problems and to begin thinking of how individual decision-making can contribute to their solution.
The goal of the course was to enrich air quality education teaching strategies for junior high school teachers by creating modules focused on culture, technology and the environment in the context of the car. The course was developed for pre-driving students (generally 9th graders) to improve their environmental awareness as it relates to driving in the United States before they become drivers. The strategy was to enhance the skills of the teachers by providing modules that would allow the students to think globally, act locally by understanding the cultural context of the car in America, i.e. understanding the beliefs, values and the role of technology that have brought us to our current air quality status. Teachers and students were consulted to assess the age level and the appropriateness of the topics included in the course. Modules were developed according to themes identified in these consultations and in brainstorming sessions. They were written by environmental education specialists and commented on by the advisory board and local students, teachers and parents. The course was approved by the local school district to be included in the environmental science curriculum.
Each module contains background information, student activities and teachers notes. The teachers notes include other approaches to the activities including an interdisciplinary approach.
MODULES
CORE MODULES
ALTERNATIVE MODULES (suggestions evolving from the project)
APPENDICES
Teachers are encouraged to use the modules and adapt then to their local circumstances and air quality issues giving credit to the National Center for Vehicle Emissions Control and Safety (NCVECS) at Colorado State University (CSU) for developing the modules; these materials are copyrighted. You may use some or all of the activities. Please check the teachers' notes at the end of the modules for suggestions , additional activities and for the interdisciplinary approach used in each module. These materials can ONLY be used by teachers for instructional purposes in a non-profit setting. Any other possible use must receive written permission by NCVECS and CSU.
Following is a list of the suggested interdisciplinary approaches that can be used in different school curriculum.
INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH IN THE MODULES
Car Scape: Environmental Studies, Math, Language Arts.
Killer Cars: Environmental Studies, Science, Art.
Policies for Prevention: Environmental Studies, Civics/Government, Math.
To the Table: Environmental Studies, Consumer Family Studies, Math, Geography.
"Smart" Shopping Trips: Environmental Studies, Language Arts, Geography.
Stay at Home: Environmental Studies, Math.
Total Energy: Environmental Studies, Math, World History.
Recycled Cars: Environmental Studies, English, Geography.
Who Needs a Car: Environmental Studies, Social Studies.
Sampling: Environmental Studies, Math, Sciences.
Traffic: Trucks and Cars: Environmental Studies, Math.
Parking Lot Survey: Environmental Studies, Math, Social Studies.
Personal History: Environmental Studies, Language Arts, Social Studies.
Interviews: Environmental Studies, Language Arts, Social Studies.
Historical Perspective: Environmental Studies, Math, History, Geography.
Bumper Stickers: Environmental Studies, Art.
After the Flight: Environmental Studies, Math.
Travel Directions: Environmental Studies, Geography.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: The modules were developed by environmental educators Drs. Robert and Sonia Vogl and edited by: Kenzi Parton, Marla Wieck, Lenora Bohren and Michele Bartholomew. We would also like to thank the members of the advisory board for their comments and give special thanks to Project Promise at Colorado State University for their comments and suggestions. This project was sponsored by the City of Fort Collins, Colorado; Poudre School District, Fort Collins, Colorado; Colorado State University, the Department of Transportation, the Colorado Department of Transportation and Environmental Systems Products, Inc. (ESP).