Everyone hates public transportation, but how can we fix it? The last of five installments in the Mass Transit Living Lab has scholars brainstorm different ways to fix the mass transit system. Hopefully, they'll come up with some great...

What's wrong with public transportation? Young engineers analyze data from a mass transit system. They do so to identify flaws in the system. 

Hop aboard for a lesson on analyzing data. Using an interactive, pupils graph data on the mass transit system of Denver's west corridor. They use the graphs to evaluate the effectiveness of the system.

You can only claim success if you know what success looks like. Future engineers explore the mass transit system in the west corridor of a city as they work through the second installment of five in the Mass Transit Living Lab unit. They...

In a battle of Denver's east and west corridors, the east wins—at least in terms of mass transit. The first of five installments in the Mass Transit Living Lab series introduces the main purpose of the unit. It has pupils brainstorm...

Train your pupils to be master engineers. Young learners design a train that travels along a fishing line. The train needs to safely carry pennies as passengers without falling out.

Levitation isn't just for magicians. Pupils design and build a small portion of track for a maglev train using magnets and Lego bricks. The goal is to get the trains to levitate—without using magic!

Is the future of transportation taken from an idea in the past? Explore the invention and development of pneumatic tubes with a video that details why pneumatic tubes were popular and why they fell out of mainstream use. The video also...

Pupils must graph the location of a train using the time given a timetable. They analyze the different legs of the trip, graph the return trip, and compare the two graphs. The lesson ends with a discussion of similarities and differences...

Scholars identify and continue the numerical pattern for the number of wheels on a train. Using the established pattern and its inverse, they determine whether a number of wheels is possible. Pupils finish by developing an algebraic...

Planes, trains, cars, feet, boats, buses, and bikes. Sing along with a music video and watch hand-drawn animation that highlights modes of transportation. 

Sometimes the most important details of an informational text aren't within the text at all. Teach your class how to read timeline with a set of activities that prompts them to find specific dates and events on the timelines, as well as...

You can, you can, you can read The Little Engine That Could with your class! Included here are ideas that you can use before, during, and after reading the book with your pupils.

Who built the Transcontinental Railroad and why was it important? Your class can learn about the laying down of these tracks by reading a short passage. Pupils then respond to five questions related to the text.

Beep beep! Zoom! Honk honk! Explore the world of transportation with a set of transportation picture word cards. Fifteen cards show trucks, planes, trains, boats, and many more types of transportation, complete with pictures and names. 

Youngsters should have fun learning about and making a train. The children will learn that some trains carry people and some carry goods, identify different railroad cars, and understand that trains need tracks that are in good condition...

Hop, skip, jump, and roll! Hula hoops have a way of putting fun in motion. Young children interact in a variety of games involving small and large hula hoops. They will develop their motor skills and eye-hand coordination while playing...

Tenth graders examine the artistic legacy of trains by comparing the representations of trains in the painting of Turner and the photographs of Terry Evans. They write an essay, story or poem using their own observations of trains,...

Students, in groups, create a display showing a "train trip" to a destination of their choice from a teacher-made list. They also answer a series of questions related to their trip. Groups present their displays.

Offering a unique take on the study of transportation, this lesson explores the New York subway system. What a fascinating way to broach this topic! Learners read a story about taking the subway, learn related vocabulary, and discuss...

Students listen to the story The Little Engine that Could and participate in a variety of activities that support the theme of trains. In this trains lesson, students review the letter "T" for trains, create train cars with colorful play...

Students examine transportation. In this train design lesson, students study how trains work and how to efficiently design a track by working with an electric train set. As a class they compare various types of trains and work...

Third graders explore different types of trains. In this science lesson, 3rd graders study the "Orphan Train" and write a paragraph about what it would feel like to be riding a train during this time period.

Middle schoolers examine the technological weapons of the Civil War. In this Civil War lesson, students research the use of trains, telegraphs, and steamships in the war. Middle schoolers write newspaper articles pertaining to the new...