Most of us get around in cars, either as drivers or passengers, so you might think rail has little to do with us nowadays. Think again - we all have to go through level crossings and sometimes have to stop and wait for a train. Many students walk or bike to school and some have a railway line between home and school that influences the route they take. In some cities catching a train to school or work is common, and even more rail lines and trains are being built to take people to more places than ever before. Keeping safe around trains is important.
The more people who take trains the safer and less congested our roads will be. Plus, it's better for our health to get out and about and more sustainable for the planet to stop using cars quite so often.
During Rail Safety Week, look at the serious issues there have been involving trains in New Zealand and find out why rail safety should concern you. On this trip, meet people who are most involved with rail on a day-to-day basis and share your thoughts with them.
To prepare for this field trip, LEARNZ content will support inquiry into:
- Rail as a means of transport
- New Zealand's rail system
- Modern rail and the future
- Rail safety
- Rail Safety Week
- Attitudes to rail and rail safety
- Future Focus
- The effects of new technology
- New careers in and around rail
- If your school is located near the rail corridor explore citizenship as personal responsibility or help solve rail safety issues by creating and using your own 'wicked problem' map.
During this field trip you will:
- Follow Shelley's tweets on twitter
- Ride a commuter train
- Ride a freight train
- Ride a tourist train
- Interview a train driver
- Interview a transport engineer and a transport planner
- Go on a car journey that involves making decisions about crossing a railway line
- Go on for walk with students that involves them making decisions about crossing a railway line
- Talk with students about their attitudes to rail safety and what they have learned in Rail Safety Week
Health and Physical Education: Healthy Communities and Environments Levels 2-4;
Mathematics and Statistics: Statistics Levels 2-4;
Social Studies: Place and Environment Levels 2-4, Continuity and Change Levels 2-4;
Technology: Levels 2-4
For more information about the field trip and to register, please visit: http://rata.learnz.org.nz/summary.php?vft=railsafety193