Back to the Future

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Learning Outcomes

By the end of this activity, learners will:
  • Investigate how their food reaches them via modes of transportation
  • Explore the pros and cons of historical, present day, and future alternatives to how we move freight
  • Consider how to revitalize older modes of transportation in ways that could reduce our impact on the environment
  • Envision a different future and explore sustainable ways to transport freight

Curriculum Connections

  • Grades 4 - 7
  • Click here for a detailed description of the curriculum connections 

Length of Activity

3 hours

Materials List

  • Energy Needs: The Ways We Use Energy Backgrounder
  • Energy and the Environment: The Impacts of Our Energy Use Backgrounder
  • Taking Action: Personal Choices About Energy Use Backgrounder
  • Moving Goods Cards Printout with Answer Key
  • Three of the case studies from the Sustainable Transportation Case Studies Backgrounder: Go Fly a Kite, Building Bikes and Bearing Food, and Getting Charged About Electric

Online Lesson Format