Contact: Katherine Roboff, katherine.roboff@wri.org, 781-264-7010
Washington, D.C. (December 19, 2023) — World Resources Institute’s Electric School Bus Initiative and the LEGO Group's Build the Change program are announcing a new, free curriculum resource for fourth through eighth graders that introduces students to concepts of circular economy and vehicle electrification through the example of the classic yellow school bus.
The lesson, called “Thinking Outside the Bus: School Buses in the Circular Economy,” prompts students to answer the question of what will become of old, retiring diesel school buses as districts across the country begin swapping them out for new, tailpipe emission-free electric models. Over 90% of the 480,000 school buses in the United States are currently diesel powered with emissions that have harmful impacts on air quality, health and climate. As more and more districts are making the switch to clean-running electric models, the question of what to do with the old buses remains. Students will explore options for creative repurposing and recycling as they develop solutions to this real challenge faced by school districts and policymakers.
Students will learn key concepts and vocabulary for applying the principles of circularity to the question of old diesel buses, culminating in the chance to build their idea for repurposing old diesel buses using LEGO bricks and other materials. Teachers will be able to upload pictures of their students’ creations to be shared on LEGO’s website.
“As someone who grew up building with LEGOs and who raised my children on them, I’m thrilled that WRI and Build the Change are teaming up to engage students in real-world problem solving,” said Dan Lashof, Director of World Resources Institute, U.S. “Empowering young people to imagine a better future for themselves and the world is a powerful way to accelerate the systemic changes we need. I have no doubt their answers will make us think differently and open up a whole new set of opportunities. Best of all, they’re building their solutions with LEGOs. How do I sign up?”
The lesson materials can be downloaded for free here: https://www.lego.com/en-us/sustainability/buildthechange/courses
About World Resources Institute and the Electric School Bus Initiative
World Resources Institute (WRI) is a global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity and human well-being. In partnership with the Bezos Earth Fund, WRI established the Electric School Bus Initiative in late 2020 with the goal of building unstoppable momentum toward equitably electrifying the full U.S. school bus fleet by 2030.
About the LEGO Build the Change Program
Build the Change is a powerful way for children to express their hopes and dreams for the future with LEGO bricks and other creative materials, plus their own imagination. And it’s all done via Learning through Play. The LEGO Group is on a mission to give children a voice and use their visions and ideas to inspire leaders around the world. The program provides tools for educators, partners and families to teach, engage and empower children on sustainability topics such as biodiversity, climate change and circular economy. Their ideas can change the world. The program is managed by the LEGO Group’s Social Responsibility team and supported by the LEGO Foundation.
LEGO and the LEGO logo are trademarks of the LEGO Group. ©2024 The LEGO Group.