The Maryland State Highway Administration encourages high school, middle school and elementary school students to explore careers in transportation engineering through the programs below.

Bridging Maryland, Becoming Engineers​

Bridging Maryland, Becoming Engineers is a three-part lesson plan (for grades 4-8) aligned with Maryland State STEM Standards of Practice and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Science and Engineering Practices. The lesson plan presents information about historic bridge types, introduces the Engineering Design Process and leads students through hands-on activities. The essential learning goal is for students to learn how a bridge’s design responds to its site conditions and design constraints. The lesson plan includes a student activity packet that can be used to gauge baseline knowledge, facilitate guided notetaking and brainstorming, simulate the design selection process and assess understanding.​ 

TRAC and RIDES

The TRAnsportation and Civil engineering (TRAC) Program, a collaboration with the American Association of State and Highway Officials (AASHTO), empowers tomorrow’s transportation engineers today. TRAC is a program for high school students. Learn also about the RIDES program for elementary school students.​

Roadways in Developing Elementary Students (RIDES) is a hands-on program developed by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) that taps into students' creativity with hands-on Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) activities and then applies real-world transportation and civil engineering concepts.