Revolutionizing the way our roadways and power grid integrate is at the heart of the ASPIRE Engineering Research Center.

The aim of ASPIRE is to create a transportation network that wirelessly charges all sizes of electric vehicles (EVs) through innovative grid-connected pavements.

The benefits of ASPIRE include reducing emissions, improving air quality, and equitable access to EVs and fast charging infrastructure for all.

Classroom-Ready ASPIRE K-12 Curricula

K-5 lesson-activity pairs explore connections between air quality, climate & transportation
Middle school activities investigate electrical energy and magnetism concepts related to ASPIRE research
High school project-based modules integrate engineering design, air quality & climate, and environmental justice themes through a transportation lens

What is ASPIRE?

Advancing Sustainability through Powered Infrastructure for Roadway Electrification (ASPIRE) is a National Science Foundation funded project to transform our transportation and grid systems.

ASPIRE’s vision is to eliminate range and charging as barriers to electric vehicle use. Solutions include wireless and plug-in charging system that are integrated into roadways, parking, and the grid. ASPIRE is preparing the workforce and communities of the future to understand, operate within, and design for sustainable electric infrastructure.

Explore ASPIRE Engineering Curricula:

K-2 Resources

Air Quality and Transportation:

Cars and Air Quality Connections
Cars and Air Quality Connections

This lesson introduces students to the concepts of air pollution from transportation and related health effects, plus vehicle solutions to help reduce air pollution and improve air quality.
Air Quality and Particulate Matter
Air Quality and Particulate Matter

This activity introduces students to the relationship between air quality and wind. Students work together to learn about the color-coded Air Quality Index (AQI) chart that describes levels of air pollution for a primary transportation-sourced air pollutant—particulate matter (PM)— and what to do du...

Climate Change and Transportation:

Climate Change and Cars (K-2)
Climate Change and Cars (K-2)

Students learn about climate change and what affects it. Students learn a basic understanding of the greenhouse effect, the carbon cycle, global warming, and how transportation can contribute to global warming. Students work together to understand how various forms of transportation have costs and b...
Carbon Emissions: Carl’s Carbon!
Carbon Emissions: Carl’s Carbon!

This activity introduces students to the concepts of climate change and what affects it. Students work together to understand how various forms of transportation have costs and benefits, and which modes of transportation are better for the environment.

3-5 Resources

Air Quality and Transportation:

Internal Combustion Engine, Electric Vehicles & Air Quality Connections
Internal Combustion Engine, Electric Vehicles & Air Quality Connections

This lesson introduces students to the concepts of air pollution from transportation and related health effects, plus vehicle solutions to help reduce air pollution and improve air quality.
Air Quality and Weather Connections
Air Quality and Weather Connections

Students will explore the pattern between air pollution levels and weather conditions in this activity. Students work together to learn about the color-coded Air Quality Index (AQI) chart that describes levels of air pollution for two main transportation-sourced air pollutants—particulate matter (PM...

Climate Change and Transportation:

Climate Change and Cars (3-5)
Climate Change and Cars (3-5)

Students learn the concepts of climate change and how cars can contribute to climate change. Students learn the basics of the greenhouse effect and the carbon cycle. They also learn how transportation affects our atmosphere. Students work together to understand how various forms of transportation ha...
Carbon Emissions: Pardon My Carbon!
Carbon Emissions: Pardon My Carbon!

This activity introduces students to the concepts of climate change and how cars can contribute to it. Students work together to understand how various forms of transportation have costs and benefits, and which modes of transportation are better for the environment.

Middle School resources are coming soon!

Creative Engineering Design is an introductory-level, project-based learning high school course that explores engineering concepts and real-world engineering applications through the lens of sustainable electric vehicle (EV) technology.

This teacher-tested modular curriculum offers a flexible instructional schedule and embeds the engineering design process, engineering skills (basic CAD, circuits & motors), and transportation-related environmental justice themes (air quality, pollution, public health), which culminates in a team-based model EV final design challenge.

Creative Engineering Design aims to broaden students' understanding and interest in engineering through the innovative work of the ASPIRE Engineering Research Center team whose goal is to develop and implement sustainable widespread roadway electrification that is accessible and equitable for all communities.

In support of the Creative Engineering Design (CED) NSF-funded curriculum, this video provides a student-filmed virtual tour of the Electric Vehicle Roadway (EVR) facility of the ASPIRE Engineering Research Center to share ASPIRE’s research goals and help inspire the next generation of engineers!

Module	Topic	Learning Highlights
1	Paper Tower Design Challenge	Students work as civil engineering teams in small groups to design and construct model towers out of paper with minimal teacher guidance on completing the challenge.
1	Efficient Car Design Challenge	Students learn how a car's aerodynamics and rolling resistance affect its energy efficiency by designing and constructing model cars out of simple materials.
1	Straw Bridges Design Challenge	Working as engineering teams, students use the engineering design process to plan, create, and test model bridges.
2	Engineering Design Process & Design Thinking	Students are formally introduced to the seven-step EDP using the various Engineering Design Process (EDP) steps in the previous design challenges.
2	Creative Crash Testing Design Challenge	Students utilize the full Engineering Design Process (EDP) as they become next-generation engineers working on the safety features for passenger vehicles.
3	Environmental Justice StoryMap Collection	The series of five Environmental Justice (EJ) StoryMaps explores the connections between air quality, transportation, and engineering.
3	Mousetrap Car Design Challenge	Students design, build, and test mousetrap cars as they apply the Engineering Design Process (EDP) in this individual engineering design challenge.
4	Tinkercad 3D Design & EV Dream Car Workshop	Students follow a guided engineering skills workshop presentation using the free online Tinkercad web app to design a model 3D EV concept car design.
4	Carbon Footprint & Transportation Activity	Students consider choices in transportation and calculate their carbon footprint to learn about their impacts and making informed choices.
5	Tinkercad Circuits & EV Motor Workshop	Students follow a guided engineering skills workshop presentation using the free online Tinkercad web app learning the basics about circuits, using a simulator to create circuits, and applying these skills to build a model EV electric motor.
5	Fuels Debate	Student teams learn about transportation fuels and then are assigned to represent the different fuels. Working cooperatively, the students develop arguments on the pros and cons of their fuel with the other fuel types.
6	Electric Vehicle Design Challenge	Students creatively collaborate in teams to design, build, test, and iterate a model electric vehicle (EV) car that runs on a battery-powered electric motor circuit. In a final design expo, teams have the opportunity to present their final EV model, their design process journey, and their perspectives on the intersection of engineering and environmental justice regarding EVs. Teams can also participate in fun model EV races and aesthetic design competitions.

ASPIRE: Re-envisioning Our Transportation & Power Grid Systems for a Sustainable Future