URI Transportation Center Offers Free Programs

Release courtesy of the University of Rhode Island Transportation Center.

The University of Rhode Island Transportation Center will be offering free summer programs to middle and high school students.

These programs will allow students to gain further knowledge in a variety of career fields including transportation, construction, business, engineering, landscape architecture and maritime services.

The URITC summer programs involve field trips, hands-on field experience and classroom exercises instructed by University of Rhode Island professors, students and industry professionals. Most programs range from one to two weeks and are based out of URI’s Kingston campus. Transportation to and from a central pick up point in Providence is available.

Sessions will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Up to 20 students in each program will receive full scholarships covering tuition, workshops, facility usage, field trip expenses, meals and equipment/supplies cost.

The Summer Transportation Institute sessions for middle school students will be held July 1 to July 12, and July 29 to August 9. The curriculum will cover highway and bridge design, construction and maintenance of roads, transportation of people and cargo, safety and career opportunities.

For high school students, the URITC Business Academy will take place July 22 to July 26 and will provide lessons about transportation, team building, supply chain and quality control.

The URITC Construction Academy, July 15 to July 19, will include an OSHA 10-hour certification, flag person certification, work zone safety, hands-on welding, operating heavy equipment and preparing for an interview.

The URITC Engineering Academy, July 22 to July 26, will teach students about highway design, environmental engineering, bridge design, traffic engineering and water resources.

The URITC Green Design Academy, July 15 to 19, will involve the skills used in sustainable design, visiting a range of landscapes, and meeting designers/installers.

This year’s brand new Maritime-Freight Academy will be held from July 8 to July 12 and combines visits to companies that use the maritime services industry, a visit to a port, and practice steering in a shipping vessel simulator.

To apply to a program or to receive more information, go to www.uritc.org or contact Tory Perrotta at toryp@mail.uri.edu. Applications should be sent as soon as possible, since each program only accepts 20 students.

About the University of Rhode Island Transportation Center

The URI Transportation Center was established in 1999 at the University of Rhode Island to conduct multidisciplinary education, research, technology transfer and outreach for surface transportation systems and advanced transportation infrastructure. The Center is supported by the US Department of Transportation through the University Transportation Centers Program. Learn more here.