ATLANTA — A Blue Bird propane-fueled school bus was on display last weekend at the Atlanta Science Festival to showcase propane bus technology to students.

Festival attendees celebrated the local science community with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) activities, according to a news release from Blue Bird.

"We share our Blue Bird Vision Propane school buses with the youth of the Atlanta area to demonstrate how an everyday part of their lives fits in with their STEM learning," said Justyne Lobello, product communications and marketing manager for Blue Bird. "This bus is just one example of the thousands of our alternatively fueled buses servicing schools throughout the country."

The Blue Bird Vision Propane bus on display was borrowed from Fulton County Schools.

"Our school district is helping children learn about the propane buses that they ride to school in and the engineering that’s under the hood," said Sam Ham, executive director of transportation for Fulton County Schools. "We are so pleased with this technology that we will surpass our original goal to have 300 propane buses by 2022 with 316 propane buses in operation when we open school in August 2019."

The low nitrogen oxide (NOx) Roush CleanTech propane engine in Blue Bird's Vision Propane school buses is 90% cleaner than the current U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standard, according to Blue Bird.

"We're thrilled to have Blue Bird join the festival family this year," said Jordan Rose, executive codirector and cofounder of the Atlanta Science Festival. "Blue Bird's commitment to reducing bus emissions and to educating the public about the dangers of nitrogen oxides makes them a great partner in building a scientifically literate community."

Blue Bird also sponsored an interactive booth at the festival’s Exploration Expo. Attendees made propane molecules out of marshmallows and experienced the difference between a propane spill and a diesel spill. The manufacturer also had a “smelling station” to simulate the odor of propane emissions compared with diesel emissions.