MDOT RIDES Roadways Into Developing Elementary Students

Roadways In Developing Elementary Students (RIDES) is a hands-on program developed by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) that taps into students’ creativity with hands-on Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) activities and then applies real-world transportation and civil engineering concepts. 

  • This program introduces students to careers in the transportation industry as early as kindergarten age.
  • National statistics have shown show that women make up only 14% and minorities only 8% of civil engineering professionals in transportation.  
  • RIDES is part of an initiative to close the diversity gap in this industry. 
  • The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) is investing in Maryland students today as the demand for efficient transportation needs will continue increase in the future.

MDOT RIDES Schools

Curriculum

  • The RIDES curriculum units are titled Transportation and Energy, Roadway
  • Geometry, Humans and Nature, and Designing Ways take students on multiple adventures, learning about transportation in relation to both math and science concepts.  
  • This curriculum was designed specifically to improve math and science achievement, provide teachers with lesson plans that teach core standards with hands-on activities and provide interdisciplinary strategies that incorporate additional subjects such as:
    • creative arts
    • language arts
    • technology
    • social studies

Contact

Nicole Stafford, MDOT RIDES Coordinator
Email: NStafford@mdot.maryland.gov 
Phone: (410) 545-8713