[passenger] Fake news: the extra long SBB ‘School and Discovery Train’

Playful and interactive: The Swiss “rolling classroom” has taught children and young people about their responsibilities in various areas for ten years. This year, the train was expanded in collaboration with SRG (Swiss Broadcasting Corporation), including a coach on ‘fake news’:

SBB Re 460 091 hauling School and Discovery Train © SBB CFF FFS

The new content aims to promote pupils’ media skills and help them to distinguish between facts and fakes.

Interactive knowledge transfer

The topics are severe; the presentation is playful, interactive, and close to the reality of life. Pupils experience firsthand what it means to become a victim of fake news and what a thoughtlessly posted picture in the wrong context can trigger. A new, holistic approach was developed with specific tips to sensitize them to fake news insults and scams. Children and young people are encouraged to take responsibility when they visit the SBB school and adventure train – regarding media literacy and safety, sustainable energy use, mobility, and career choices.

Interior view of the ‘Fake News’ coach of the School and Discovery Train © SBB CFF FFS

The train

The SBB “School and Discovery Train,” which has already welcomed more than 330,000 young people since 2003, stops at 12 to 15 different locations in Switzerland each year. It is unique in the country and offers various interactive stations. The offer is trilingual (Italian, French, and German). This year, it consists of six coaches, including one with a pantograph with drawings and texts in three languages.

On its first trip, the train is hauled by SBB Re 460 091.