Jobs of Tomorrow Videos

The new SME series, Jobs of Tomorrow, shares the many reasons why mining should be the career of the future. Each episode features a different aspect of the mining and minerals industry along with the jobs that bring it together.  Explore the exciting, high-tech, and surprisingly green world
of mining where the careers today are not what you expect.

The Elements of Clean Energy – Full Episode (21:13)
The Elements of Clean Energy – Microlearning (2:50)

Community Relations: What’s Mine is Yours – Full Episode (23:39)
Community Relations:  What’s Mine is Yours – Microlearning (1:52)

Mining Data for Mining Innovations – Full Episode (20:38)
Mining Data for Mining Innovations – Microlearning (3:46)

Make Mine ESG – Full Episode (22:17)
Make Mine ESG – Microlearning (2:55)

Mining 2.0:  Progress and Innovation in the Industry – Full Episode (20:51)
Mining 2.0:  Progress and Innovation in the Industry – Microlearning (3:31)

Urban Mining: Core to the Future – Full Episode (21:10)
Urban Mining: Core to the Future – Microlearning (3:46)

Education GeoSource

The Education GeoSource database has thousands of free resources, from lessons to outreach and teacher professional development, for use in classrooms, scout programs, or at home.

Where’s That Mine of Mine?

Through discussion and an assignment requiring research and analytical thinking, students will gain an understanding of modern mining, society’s reliance on the industry, and some of the challenges faced by modern mining professionals. Students will also be exposed to examples of the many professional disciplines on which the industry relies.

The assignment in this lesson challenges students to consider factors affecting where new mines might be developed.

Download Unit Components:
I.   Overview

II.  Intro Activity

III. Main Activity

A. Teacher Instruction

B. Student Assignment

IV. Supporting Resources

Understanding Coal

Hands-on, critical thinking activities introduce intermediate students to the formation of coal, the coal mining process, reclamation of lands, uses of coal, electricity generation, and advantages and disadvantages of utilizing coal. 112 pages.  Find related curricula at www.need.org.

This Mine Of Mine

Middle school students explore the formation, geology, recovery, and uses of coal, as well as the reclamation of coal mine sites. Using sand, clay, soil and rocks, students build a miniature plot of land containing coal deposits. Students then learn about surface mining, and practice the method on a plot of land. After the coal is mined, students reclaim the plot of land and discuss how the coal is transported and used. 10 pages.  Find related curricula at www.need.org.  Originally from Project Stone. 

All About Coal

Introduce primary and elementary students to the formation of coal, the coal mining process, reclamation of lands, and the uses of coal. Hands-on, multi-disciplinary activities. Free download.  59 pages.  Find related curricula at www.need.org.

A World of Minerals in Your Mobile Device

This fact sheet from the U.S. Geological Survey shows ore minerals that are sources of mineral commodities used to make cell phones and a map of the countries that produce some of these minerals.

Reclaiming a Mine Site

Build a model reclaimed landscape in a plastic tub and observe and compare the growth of vegetation on one of eight model landscapes to learn that specific conditions are needed to re-vegetate reclaimed mine sites. This MEC page from the 2016 AGI Earth Science Week Calendar was created with permission from Caterpillar. To view the Caterpillar Ground Rules video and access the accompanying 75-activity guide go here.