Volkswagen, Scholastic Expand Seat Belt Program

To promote the increased use of safety belts and reduce the number of auto-related teen deaths, Volkswagen of America, Inc. and Scholastic Marketing Partners are expanding their joint educational program.

Volkswagen is telling teens to buckle up

Entering its third year, Fasten Your Seat Belt ... Go Far will reach 20 markets instead of just 10. The educational curriculum is designed to provide high school students with the tools and means to influence their peers through positive peer pressure. The curriculum includes classroom materials designed to help teachers engage students in seat belt safety. The lesson plans help teens build language and literacy skills; practice oral and written communication skills; and use creative expression as a powerful tool to affect other teens.

Participating students will create public service announcements that encourage other teens to wear safety belts. Volkswagen will select three PSAs to be broadcast nationally. It will then choose a grand-prize winner, who will receive a $10,000 U.S. Savings Bond. The second- and third-place winners will receive $3,000 and $1,000 savings bonds, respectively.

Teachers of the three finalists will receive an Apple G5 computer with a flat screen monitor, Final Cut Express software for classroom use and a $100 Scholastic gift certificate.

Volkswagen will begin distributing the curriculum kits this month to 14,000 teachers in the Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, Hartford, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, San Diego, Seattle, St. Louis and San Francisco metropolitan areas.