Key stages 3-4: Use this article as an “educational” vehicle to discuss the often-boring aspects of “Safety and Risk”. Issues like the powering of trams (horsesteamcableelectricity) and, in particular, the safety of electricity are starters on risks. The historic importance of public health and the potential to spread disease has a fascinating twist here. Young people engage with environmental aspects so tease out the advantages of trams over cars and buses looking at the wider picture of road safety, pollution, traffic issues, disability etc. Visit the websites of new tram systems listed at the end of the main article.

John Dexter