School's in Session: Dig Deeper with Mining Education
- Jess Scanlan
- Aug 25
- 4 min read
The school bells are ringing! I love this time of year. It's fresh starts, new possibilities, and that perfect window when teachers are actively seeking engaging resources to bring their lessons to life.
These resources they're seeking make for a great opportunity for mining companies and groups to get involved with the next generation and their communities!
Mining education isn't just about explaining what we do. It's about building bridges. It's about showing kids (and their teachers, and their families) that our industry touches literally every aspect of their daily lives. It's about creating those "aha!" moments when a student realizes their smartphone wouldn't exist without mining, or when they understand that renewable energy technologies depend on the minerals we extract.
But more than that? These opportunities are investments in our industry's future. Every classroom presentation, every teacher we support with quality resources, every scout group that earns their Mining in Society merit badge – these interactions shape how the next generation views our work. They build trust, spark curiosity, and maybe even inspire future geologists, engineers, haul truck drivers, mechanics, and mining professionals.
The best part is you don't need to reinvent the wheel! There are incredible resources already out there, created by organizations who've done the heavy lifting of making complex topics accessible and engaging. Whether you're part of a WIM group looking for volunteer opportunities, an SME chapter planning community outreach, or a mining company wanting to strengthen local relationships, these resources can help you make a real impact.
Ready-to-Use Educational Resources by Organization
They've nailed the fundamentals with free, downloadable lessons covering minerals and rocks, the mining process, sustainability, map reading, and plate tectonics. Perfect for multiple grade levels and easy for teachers to implement. Bonus points - they align with Nevada state standards!
Talk about going above and beyond – they offer lesson plans, coordinate events, and even have a classroom speaker request system. Their Mining in the Classroom Checklist takes the guesswork out of planning, plus they've got a whole careers section with quizzes and downloadable materials. I really like that they offer teacher training opportunities as well!
This is your one-stop shop for educator resources. We're talking videos, webinar requests, classroom presentations, lab tours, and even virtual mine tours. If you want to bring the real-world experience into the classroom (or vice versa), they've got you covered.
Copper-focused resources for teachers, families, and volunteers, with Spanish language options available. Sometimes starting with one specific mineral helps make the broader concepts more concrete.
You know that "Mineral Baby" graphic everyone shares? That's MEC! But they're so much more than viral infographics – lesson plans, hands-on activities, industry statistics, the works.
Want to approach mining from a different angle? Their historical activities are Montana-focused but totally adaptable. Think creating newspapers about growing up in mining towns or planning what you'd bring for a gold rush. History brings the human story to our industry!
Free K-12 resources, low-cost supplemental materials, and outreach resources specifically designed for SME chapters. They get what local chapters need to make an impact.
Lesson plans, activities, infographics, and fact sheets covering the full spectrum of mineral resources science. Fair warning – some sections still say "coming soon," but what's available is solid (plus, kids love those coloring pages).
Mythbuster Monday graphics, videos, and various ready-to-share content. Perfect for integrating with social media or presentations to support your educational efforts.
Fun earth science classroom activities that go beyond mining but create that foundation of geological understanding. I'm currently using their "It's About Time" activity to help me guide a Rock Talk video on my YouTube!
Teacher guides and student worksheets that are classroom-tested and ready to go.
Geology teaching resources from national parks across the USA. Because sometimes the best way to understand earth processes is through the dramatic examples in our national parks!
The Mining in Society Merit Badge isn't just for scouts – it's an excellent framework for talking about mining with any youth group. I personally have done this merit badge with 3 Scouting groups and have had great feedback each time!
Activities That Actually Work
While these organizations provide the curriculum backbone, having a few tried-and-true activities in your back pocket never hurts:
Cookie Mining remains the absolute go-to activity. It's hands-on, delicious, and drives home concepts about resource extraction, environmental restoration, and economics. You can adapt it with beads and sand or birdseed mix if cookies aren't classroom-appropriate.
Cupcake Core Sampling is another winner – easy to prep, visually engaging, and perfectly demonstrates geological sampling techniques.
Ore and Mineral Samples from your local area create connections that no textbook can match. Kids love rocks, period. But when you can say "this came from the mine just outside town, and here's what these materials go into" you've made it personal.
Earth Materials Scavenger Hunts really drive home that "if it can't be grown, it must be mined" connection. A simple bingo card or checklist gets kids thinking way beyond the obvious examples.
Field Trips & Rock / Resource Walks are great ways to take advantage of beautiful fall weather and get kids outside! You don't have to break out the permission slips and liability wavers to make a difference - you can take a rock walk around the block explaining your areas geological landmarks, or take the scavenger hunt to a new level outdoors!
The key is meeting teachers where they are, communities where they are, and kids where they are. You don't need a massive budget or a PhD in education – you just need authentic enthusiasm for what you do and the willingness to share it.
So whether you're planning your next WIM chapter meeting, looking for ways your SME group can give back, or trying to figure out how your company can be a better community partner, these resources are your starting point.
The classrooms are waiting, the teachers want to hear from you, and the next generation is ready to learn what mining is really all about!
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