The TravelSmart SA Education Program works in partnerships with TravelSmart Project Officers in Council to help schools: reduce traffic congestion around the area encourage more active lifestyles by help the environment by reducing transport-related greenhouse gas emissions by giving students and members of the school community an opportunity to learn about their travel habits with a view to making more sustainable and healthy travel choices.

Why are schools involved?

Over 19% of all greenhouse gas emissions generated in South Australia come from the private motor vehicle. One of the major "trip generators" is the journey to and from school, with over 70% of all children aged 5-12 years travelling to school by car. The number of children walking to school has decreased by 46.5% since 1986.

With these statistics in mind, the TravelSmart SA Education program seeks to work with the school community to:

• highlight the impact of the car on the environment, community and their health
• encourage sustainable travel options for the journey to school, for example, walking, cycling, car pooling and/or using public transport
• influence students as future transport users to consider alternatives to the car.

How does TravelSmart SA work with schools?

When a school participates in the TravelSmart SA Education Program, a Working Group is nominated to work in partnership with a TravelSmart SA Project Officer. The Working Group:

• develops an Action Plan based on a survey of school community travel patterns
• in conjunction with the school community, decides site-specific strategies to promote sustainable travel options such as walking, cycling and public transport
• monitors and reviews the Action Plan to ensure that implemented strategies are effective and are being sustained
• measures travel behaviour change in the school community.

Teachers are also involved in the Action Plan by teaching from the TravelSmart SA Teacher Resource, and have the opportunity of participating in training, development and networking opportunities. Each teacher who participates:

• receives a copy of the TravelSmart SA Teacher Resource
• attends a TravelSmart SA Education Workshop with TRT vouchers provided for release
• is supported by Transport SA Education Consultants.

Education

TravelSmart SA has developed a range of educational resources to encourage teaching and learning about environmental issues, health, citizenship and community interdependence.

TravelSmart SA Teacher Resource has been specifically developed as a teaching and learning resource about travel options and the social and physical environment in which we live. The Resource:

• has been developed for Junior, Middle and Upper Primary Students
• contains learning activities that link to Essential Learnings, Key Competencies and South Australian Curriculum Standards and Accountability (SACSA) Framework
• includes Information and Communication Technology (ICT) teaching ideas.

CARisma is our Online Teacher Resource the critically examines car culture and car use in our society, particularly how cars have become integral to the way we perceive ourselves. CARisma:

• is cross-curricular, issues-based and is linked to the SACSA framework
• explores the culture and impact of the car on our society
• acknowledges the effect transport-related greenhouse gas emissions have on the environment
• incorporates multi-media, including links to movie trailers and car advertisements, with ideas for teaching
• links to a wealth of teaching resources.

Access CARisma Online Teacher Resource here.

How to become involved

Please contact us if you would like further information on how your class or school can be involved in the TravelSmart SA Education Program, or download our TravelSmart to School brochure.