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.
Grade: 6-8
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
Mining is Us: Geotechnical Engineer Video
How do we help society obtain the mineral resources it needs while keeping miners safe? Join Carolina as she introduces the career of geotechnical engineering.
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.
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.
Mining Fact Sheet
This Mining Fact Sheet summarizes major mining and mineral processing tools and techniques and highlights critical metals.
Mineral Resources Fact Sheet
This Mineral Resources Fact Sheet discusses some of today’s important mineral and mining topics such as minerals in your diet, industrial and construction minerals, minerals in green technology, artisanal mining and conflicts and efforts to address these.
The Rock Cycle
The Geological Society of London’s Online interactive resource The Rock Cycle, with the Rock Cycle Animation, shows how surface and deep Earth processes produce the rocks we stand on and use to build our homes. Also find a glossary, demonstrations/experiments and extensive background information about the rock cycle.
