PEARL — Natchez Freshman Academy teacher Eddie Smith recently attended the Mississippi Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) RIDES training at Clyde Muse Center on the Hinds Community College campus in Pearl.

Teachers at the program participated in high-energy, hands-on training from National Board certified trainers who are actively using the RIDES program in their classrooms.

RIDES is one of MDOT’s education outreach programs that introduces students to careers in the transportation industry while enhancing their science, technology, engineering and math skills. RIDES is aligned with the National Math and Science Standards, Mississippi Frameworks for Math and Science Education and the Common Core for Math.