Going High Tech with Safe Routes to School

Posted by on January 17, 2011

Upcoming Webinar on High-Tech Safe Routes to School Programs

On Tues., January 25, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time, America Walks and the National Center for Safe Routes to Schools will host a free, hour-long webinar on “Going High Tech with Safe Routes to School” as part of their Safe Routes to School Coaching Action Network Webinar Series.  The webinar will feature the nationally-recognized Make Trax curriculum, a program to engage youth in planning for more and safer walking and bicycling to school.

Developed by the Michigan Fitness Foundation in partnership with the Michigan Department of Transportation, Make Trax is a hands-on program to help youth make walking to school easier and safer. Downloadable, free, and easy-to-use lessons include mapping, technology, and presentation activities. A Youth Field Guide fosters ownership of walkable, healthy communities and green energy transportation opportunities.

In addition to providing an introduction to Make Trax, the upcoming webinar will highlight other successful local efforts to use technology to enhance Safe Routes to School programs, including assistance with recruitment, walk & bike to school counts, evaluation, and mapping.  Cities across the country are partnering with school districts and state governments to encourage walking and biking to school as a safe transportation alternative, and to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution around elementary and middle schools.  The infrastructure projects funded by the federal Safe Routes to School program can serve as a key component of local efforts to reduce childhood obesity by promoting healthier, more active lifestyles.

Webinar registrants will receive a toll-free dial-in number and access code via email. If you won’t have access to an Internet-enabled computer at the time of the call, please request an advance copy of the materials so you can follow along with telephone only. Listeners will have the opportunity to pose questions of the presenters and see real-time polls of the meeting attendees. For more information, please contact Michelle Gulley at mgulley@americawalks.org.

» Learn more about the Make Trax curriculum

http://saferoutesmichigan.org/maketrax

» Register for the webinar

https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/314116105