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Future Transit Authority

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Grades 6-875-90 minSource: Creative Dad Company

Teams compare transit route options for a growing city, weighing energy use, passenger capacity, and accessibility to recommend the best system.

Choose your version

Every level teaches the same core idea — pick the one that fits your time, budget, and energy today.

Prep: 10 minActivity: 45 min1 session~$3/groupOne table or a clear section of floorBeginner-friendly

Setup

Print or hand-copy the essential prompt for Future Transit Authority, then set out only paper, pencils, and the common or recycled items needed for one test. Use a tabletop representation whenever the original version mentions a room, specialized device, or digital tool; the learning comes from the decisions and evidence, not elaborate scenery.

Activity

  1. Study a city map and predict which transit route would serve the most riders for the least energy cost.
  2. Design two competing transit route plans, marking stops, capacity, and estimated energy use for each.
  3. Score both plans against accessibility and capacity requirements, find one plan fails a key requirement, and revise it.
  4. Pitch the winning transit plan to a mock city council with data comparing both options.

Done when: The group has completed Future Transit Authority when it can pitch the winning transit plan to a mock city council with data comparing both options and point to the observation, measurement, comparison, or trial that supports its conclusion.

Materials

large city map printout, string, markers, sticky dots, ruler, poster board

Shown for the Quick Start version — switch tabs above to see what changes.

Disclosure: Materials links below go to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, Creative Dad Company earns from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Steps

  1. Study a city map and predict which transit route would serve the most riders for the least energy cost.
  2. Design two competing transit route plans, marking stops, capacity, and estimated energy use for each.
  3. Score both plans against accessibility and capacity requirements, find one plan fails a key requirement, and revise it.
  4. Pitch the winning transit plan to a mock city council with data comparing both options.

Standards it satisfies

  • NGSS · MS-ETS1-2

    Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.