MDOT developed RIDES (Roadways Into Developing Elementary Students), to introduce Mississippi students in kindergarten through sixth grade to careers in the transportation while improving math and science skills with hands-on activities. The program has a component of integrated lessons that incorporates other subject areas such as art, music and reading. Nine elementary schools participated in training during the summer of 2004. In 2005, 149 teachers from across the state attended the two-day training. They each received two large trunks of resource materials and a curriculum that was aligned with state and national standards in math and science. The program was updated in 2006 to include seventh and eighth grade standards; more than 244 teachers were trained that summer. Training continues each summer and to date, over 1,000 teachers in the state of Mississippi have attended the training, serving over 25,000 students annually.

MDOT developed a key RIDES partnership with the Mississippi Department of Mental Health’s Region 8 Work Activities Center. Clients of the center assemble and deliver the RIDES trunks, which are filled with lesson and activity materials. This partnership is an economical solution to the labor-intensive process of producing the trunks, and provides Region 8 clients with an opportunity to practice work-related skills, such as sorting, counting, assembling, and working as a team.

Information: For more information on the RIDES program, you may contact Susan King at sdking@mdot.state.ms.us or Linda Clifton lkclift@bellsouth.net, 662-416-1632.

How to Apply: Complete the attached application and mail to Linda Clifton, 100 Parkwood Garden, Booneville, MS 38829. You will be placed on a waiting list and notified when training dates are set.

RIDES 2012 Training Schedule

Make RIDES program a part of your classroom.

Application for RIDES Program

Sample Lesson Plan (Design A Boat)