What is transportation?

It's trains and boats and planes and cars and trucks and bikes and roads and airports and waterways. It's also world–wide delivery of goods and services. It's technology and psychology and engineering and materials. It's people to people around the world.

Can you think of any part of your life that transportation does NOT touch? Music, food, going to school, being with friends—we depend on transportation to bring these things to us. Even if you went everywhere on foot, you would still be using our transportation system.

TransWeek 2008 at The University of Tennessee lets you explore some of the benefits and risks of transportation. Industry professionals bring to life the varied world of transportation and talk about many of the career options in this far–reaching field.

Why should I attend TransWeek?

First of all, it’s free! More importantly, you will learn from experts about some of the fascinating aspects of transportation—accident reconstruction, roadway design, computer simulations, ways to move goods and people, and more. Finally, you will spend the week with 14 other interesting high school juniors and seniors from East Tennessee. 

What will I do?

• Learn how examining debris from a car wreck can help determine who caused the accident.
• Explore the human and technical variables in transportation safety.
• Ride a train in Chattanooga.
• Take a behind–the–scenes tour of the cargo systems at McGhee–Tyson Airport.
• Experience trust and team building at a ropes course.

Who can attend?

TransWeek 2008 is open to rising high school juniors and seniors for the 2008–09 school year. A total of 15 students will be selected. You must be able to attend all activities throughout the week.  Final selection will be based on the strength of your interests, your transcript and teacher recommendations.

Where does TransWeek happen—and when?

TransWeek is held June 16—20, 2008 at the National Transportation Research Center, Hardin Valley Road at Pellissippi Parkway, Knoxville.

Participants must provide their own transportation to and from NTRC but UT provides transportation for field trips. Breakfast and lunch will be catered daily.

How do I apply?

• Fill out this application.
• Get a copy of your current high school transcript from your guidance office.
• Ask two teachers to recommend you. They may use this form or they may email their letter directly to Matt Cate at the address below.
• Send your application and transcript to
  Matt Cate
  University of Tennessee
  Center for Transportation Research
  309 Conference Center Building
  Knoxville, Tennessee 37996–4133

Deadline is May 23, 2008.

For more information contact
Matt Cate
Phone: (865) 974-5255
Fax: (865) 974-3889
Email: mcate@utk.edu

TransWeek 2008 is sponsored by
The University of Tennessee
Center for Transportation Research
Southeastern Transportation Center
National Transportation Research Center