Pictured L-R:  New Albany Middle School Principal, Damon Ladner;  MDOT/AASHTO RIDES Implementation Coordinator, Linda Clifton; New Albany 6th Grade Teacher, Tracy Vainisi

Pictured L-R: New Albany Middle School Principal, Damon Ladner; MDOT/AASHTO RIDES Implementation Coordinator, Linda Clifton; New Albany 6th Grade Teacher, Tracy Vainisi

New Albany Middle School hosted a media blitz on January 31 to promote Roadways Into Developing Elementary Students (RIDES), which is a math and science based curriculum that meets the state’s core standards and introduces children to areas of transportation. RIDES Media Blitzes provide an opportunity for schools to showcase how their RIDES teachers are implementing the program in the classroom and to show how students are interacting with the hands-on activities.

Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) representatives and local media came to New Albany Middle School and witnessed first-hand the excitement students have while participating in the program.

Travis Wampler, District One LPA Coordinator, addressed students and told them the program was about making sure Mississippi’s students have a wide range of educational and career opportunities, particularly related to math and science.  “This program really makes learning fun and encourages our youth to seek out transportation related careers in the future,”  said Wampler.  “I would like to thank all the teachers who currently participate in the program and I would also like to encourage all math and science teachers in the state of Mississippi to jump on board.”

RIDES was developed in Mississippi by MDOT, who is now partnered with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) to take the program nationwide. “Not only are other states asking for it but other countries are asking for it now,” said Linda Clifton, AASHTO/MDOT RIDES Implementation Coordinator.   “We are excited about a program that was born in Mississippi traveling to other countries as well as other states.”   The media blitzes held across the state will continue to increase awareness about the program with the hopes to see more teachers and students using RIDES in their classrooms.