The SMARTY (Sharing Mobile After School Resources, Training Youth) Bus program in Sheridan, Wyoming teaches third through sixth graders about everything from drugs to rocket science, providing them with a fun and educational after school activity, the Billings Gazette reported on April 21.

One recent lesson taught students about alcoholism, using the story of a puppy neglected by a master who suffered from the illness. The children used coloring books, watched a video and played games during the bus's one-hour visit.

Other presenters came from the Civil Air Patrol, Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library, College for Kids and the U.S. Forest Service.

The SMARTY bus visits two day care centers and eight elementary schools, stopping at each site once every two weeks from 3 to 4 p.m.

The idea for the program arose when members of the Sheridan County Prevention Coalition and the Extended Learning Opportunities Network were concerned that 26 percent of the nation's sixth-graders had tried alcohol.

Project Youth, a program of the Sheridan Community Education Foundation, operates the SMARTY Bus, supported by federal funding from the Wyoming Department of Education as well as community donations.

Local businesses can contribute to the program by purchasing advertising space on or inside the bus. Several businesses have already helped with the renovation of the bus, which was donated by a local school district and equipped with televisions, storage space and bench seating.

The bus was also painted with colorful puzzle pieces, so that it is recognizable and attracts attention and curiosity from the children.

"This bus draws kids like a magnet," said Kathleen Sinclair, driver and coordinator for the SMARTY Bus. "It's a kid-driven program.... The presenters teach their passion, interest and livelihood to the kids, and math and language arts are worked into most of the lessons."

"The SMARTY Bus is a hoot!" said Dianne Bramwell, who presented the lesson on alcoholism. "The kids learn, but not in a structured way. And they absorb more than you think."