Summary & Introduction

As set out here, this project suggests a "school experience", consisting of a series of

Each participating school is naturally free to use a shorter version or other combination of steps to suit their particular need. Our proposed steps are as follows:

• Step 1. Classroom discussion No 1: Introductory session and "vote"
• Step 2. First version of the Exhibition (hereafter referred to as "Expo") I
• Step 3. Classroom discussion No 2: -- Expo evaluation and suggestions for next stages
• Step 4. Field trips
• Step 5. School transport study
• Step 6. Classroom discussion No 3: -- Field trip and Transport study evaluation.
• Step 7. "Creative analysis"
• Step 8. Classroom discussion No 4: Preparation for Expo II and second "vote"
• Step 9. Exposition, conference and closing meeting with parents, teachers, and officials and third "vote" (this time with all present joining in)
• Step 10. Classroom discussion No 5: Lessons Learned, Reflections and Conclusions: ideas for follow-up and next projects

The goal of the experience is to make children more aware of the conflicting role that cars play in their daily lives. Most children do not feel that there is anything "wrong" with cars. To the contrary, one of their earliest their fondest wishes usually is to possess one as soon as possible. We hope that this exposition and follow-up program will call their attention to some of the problems that a car-based society entails and the need for different solutions. It should help to develop their sense of personal responsibility and rationality, both of which are important for future citizens of a democracy. In this sense, the program can be seen as a lesson in civics.

Equally important, we feel that the program can give the children the opportunity to study a local problem, and then in turn to inform and educate their parents, teachers and local government officials as well. We are, in effect, asking the children (a) to take responsibility for identifying the problem (if there is a problem), and (b) suggesting to us all (and themselves) what could be done about it.

Once tested and put into final form, it still will be useful for the school to take an active role in organizing and administering the program (and making sure that the parents and local government officials show up for the gala closing exhibition and conference). It may also be useful for the school to review the details of the program and expo, to make sure that it is appropriate and productive for their students.

Similarly it may be a good idea to make sure that this project is coordinated with what the school does in the area of traffic safety education, etc., to be certain that these separate programs are complementary.

The draft program should be of interest to those who have contacts in the school systems of their respective cities. It is still a rough working draft, for which we are eager to have your comments and suggestions. Once we have received a round of critical reviews in response to this draft, we intend to run several pilot projects in schools here in Paris. The first runs should help us considerably in refining, improving and extending these materials.

The longer term objective is to develop these materials into a "kit" which can be shared with schools and others in the network. Like any good kit, it should permit maximum innovation and adaptation while providing a strong core of material (visuals) and guidelines. We believe that this can be a powerful tool to help us all in the search for new and better solutions.

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Other Places, Other Themes

Exhibits of children's "transport art" and commentary have thus far been prepared under the leadership of local groups and schools in the following cities in asssociation with this program:

• Getxo-Bilbao (Spain)
• Paris (France)
• San Sebastian (Spain)
• Toledo (Spain)
• Vancouver (Canada)

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