• Application 
  
• Mid-Term Update – due by March 15, 2025
  
• Final Update – due by May 1, 2025

Promoting your project is vital to spreading the word about your campaign and increasing its impact.  Review the Media Tip Sheet and use the Fillable Press Release to send to local and state newspapers for an article about your project. Also, please remember that each participating student and faculty member must have a signed Photo and Video Release Form. Teams will be required to bring their signed release forms with them at the Awards Showcase.

• • • Media Tip Sheet
    • Fillable Press Release
    • Sponsors Logos – please add the logos on this page to any materials you create as a way to thank our sponsors.
    • UgotBrains Champion Schools 15th Anniversary Logo – for use in promotional materials
    • Photo Video Release Form

Below are resources to help you get started with your project. Please use local, state, and national resources as you see fit for your campaign.

• www.bianj.org
• https://www.njm.com/teen-driver-safety
• www.njoag.gov
• www.nhtsa.gov
• https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/teen-driving
• bestreetsmartnj.org
• www.ghsa.org
• njbwc.org
• njbikeped.org
• https://highways.dot.gov/
• nj.gov/njsp/info/fatalacc
• https://madd.org/
• www.arrivealive.co.za
• https://www.safekids.org/
• https://www.sadd.org/
• https://www.impactteendrivers.org/
• https://exchange.aaa.com/safety/teen-driver-safety/
• https://www.nsc.org/road/resources/
• https://nikhilbadlanifoundation.org/
• https://www.nrsf.org/passport-safe-driving
• https://www.iihs.org/
• https://www.cdc.gov/teen-drivers/risk-factors/index.html
• https://flteensafedriver.org/
• https://safeteendriving.org/resources/yovaso
• https://www.noys.org/
• https://www.statefarm.com/simple-insights/auto-and-vehicles/ways-to-help-your-teen-driver-stay-safe
• https://wesavelives.org/

Use the information in your campaigns and/or share these infographics on social media sites.

Teen Safe Driving Infographic

Distracted Driving Infographic

Cell Phone Risks

In order to enhance the U Got Brains Champion Schools Program, we’ve implemented an evaluation component developed by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s (CHOP) Research Institute. Schools will be asked to participate in this online evaluation at the end of the program.

Faculty Advisor Survey Report 2022-23

Student Survey Report 2022-23

The Champion Schools Program has been evaluated by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute and has proved to not only increase awareness and education about safe driving, but most importantly, change driving behavior.

The following is a summary of the key findings of the program:

Summary of Findings

• • • As a result of the program, teens reported seeing their peers engaging in safer driving behaviors, felt greater social pressure from their friends to drive and ride safely (i.e., their perceptions of what they believe their friends wanted them to do), and they perceived a more positive driving safety culture at their school.
  • • Teens reported engaging in safer driving behaviors (e.g., Riding and Driving Focused) as a result of their school’s participation in the U Got Brain’s Champion Schools Program.
  • • Overall engagement with the program was strong; most schools had student teams that met at least five (5) or more times, according to advisors.
  • • When the school’s program “clicked,” students were engaged and had fun, and key stakeholders (school administration, community, students, and the advisors) found the experience to be very gratifying and successful.

Key Individual Report Findings:

ADVISORS:

Overall, advisors were very pleased with their advising experience and noted several strengths of the program including the overall impact (i.e., the extent to which awareness of teen driver safety increased in the school) and the importance of the message.

TEAM MEMBERS/STUDENTS:

Student Team Members reported:

• • • Increasing awareness of teen driving safety at the school and community level
    • Having fun learning about aspects of the GDL laws
    • Doing a good deed and helping others
    • Working together, helping students and community be better and safer drivers
    • Receiving increased knowledge and positive feedback from other students and the community.
    • Having a positive experience by participating in the program and that they exercise safer behaviors as a result

Changes in Students’ Driving/Passenger Behaviors

Students reported engaging in safer driving and riding behaviors. This effect was driven by positive changes in the peer culture around safe driving in their school.

Changes in Student’s Awareness of Teen Driving Safety

Students reported a stronger school culture related to safe driving.

As we move forward with this program to help reduce driving injuries and fatalities among teens in New Jersey, we will continue to work on improvements.