Everyone should have an opportunity to learn how we use mineral resources and where they come from, what modern mining really is, and the professional opportunities this career path offers. Our K-12 outreach programs provide this programming for K-12 and college-level groups, and the links below provide educators with fun, cost-free STEM educational content that you can access anytime, any place.
Educational Resources for Teachers
"Minerals Make It!" Video Series
Who: K-7th grade
Where: Online content
Length: 3 minutes each
This series explores the minerals that make up everyday items, including copper, gold, salt, and graphite, and how they transform our lives through technologies like wi-fi and gaming systems, and products like makeup and fireworks.
Watch the video playlist on our YouTube channel.
"Ask a Pro" Video Series
Who: K-12th grade
Where: Online content
Length: 3-10 minutes each
What does a Mining Engineer do? What do you love about your job? These career-exploration videos help you investigate your interests and different career options by connecting with industry professionals.
Through short video interviews, students hear straight from the pros about real world experiences.
Virtual Hiking Tours
Who: Everyone
Where: Online or in-person
Length: Variable
Are you stuck inside on a hot summer day, or looking for your next outdoor adventure? Try our Google Earth web-based hiking tours!
Each tour leads you on a journey to discover the history of mining and mineral resources around Tucson, Arizona, USA. Take a real hike using the free Google Earth app, or virtually via the Chrome browser from the comfort of home.
Virtual Mine Tours
Who: Everyone
Where: Online or in person
Length: Variable
Discover the minerals and mines of Arizona from the comfort of your couch! From active mines that provide 66% of all the copper mined in the United States to historic mines that were the source of beautiful mineral specimens, these Google Earth web-based tours allow you to explore where Arizona's minerals come from. Our beautiful state is waiting!
Classroom and Online Presentations
Activity Level: 4-12
Registration Required: No - contact information required to request presentations (free)
Activity types: In-class presentations, Online webinars
Presentations aligned with Arizona state science standards are available for classes, clubs and groups interested in gaining a deeper understanding of mining and mineral resources. Hands-on activities and/or demonstrations are available for most in-person topics. Click below for a full description of available presentations and to schedule one for your class.
Explore Mining Careers & Degrees
Activity Level: 11-12, college
Registration Required: Email to connect with a recruiter
Activity types: Interactive PPT presentation on career opportunities, higher education information
Mining involves much more than digging minerals out of the ground! Modern mining requires work across boundaries with experts in many fields including health, science, engineering, environment, social science, business and law. Learn about the interesting and varied careers that contribute to the minerals industry and how your students can start down the path to those careers.
Live STEM Webinars and QA sessions
Activity Level: K-12
Registration Required: Yes, for Webinars
Activity types: Online activities, Classroom activities
Students and teachers have the opportunity to participate in live webinars with Q&A delivered by Smithsonian Scientists, virtually tour the grand halls of the Natural History Museum, sign up for free on-line summer programs, and explore featured collections. The National Museum of Natural History is dedicated to inspiring people of all ages to better understand the natural world and our place in it.
Minerals and Mining Activities
Activity Level: K-12
Registration Required: No
Activity types: Classroom activities, Worksheets
Browse a list of mining and minerals activities for the classroom curated by the Nevada Mining Association. Students can explore how crystals form, how mines are made, and more. The hands-on activities are easily sorted by grade and include both group and individual activities. Supply lists are included with each activity and all activities are free to print and download.
Virtual Mining Labs and Field Trips
Activity Level: 6-12
Registration Required: No
Activity types: Online activities, Classroom activities
Dig Into Mining allows you to bring your students along for guided digital tours of how copper is mined. Interactive digital field trips let students look for copper, plan a mine, reclaim the environment, and see what careers are available in the mineral industry. Teachers and parents can find classroom tools and engaging activities for middle school and high school students that showcase the many ways we use minerals in our daily lives.
Geodesy Data and Tools for Educators
Activity Level: 6-16
Registration Required: No
Activity types: Online activities, Classroom activities, Lesson plans, Datasets, Data Collection
The University NAVSTAR Consortium (UNAVCO) works to facilitate research and education using Geodesy. They offer modules and activities that guide students through how to use real world geodesy data sets to answer societally important Earth science questions. Tutorials and access to GPS datasets for educators are also provided. Educator materials packets are available for a small shipping fee.
Teaching Geoscience Online Resources
Activity Level: K-16
Registration Required: No
Activity types: Online activities, Classroom activities, Earth education resource browser
The Science Education Resource Center (SERC) at Carlton College and the National Association of Geoscience Teachers (NAGT) present “Teach the Earth.” Along with a collection of traditional resources they provide a rich collection of online geoscience activities as well as advice and workshops for teachers transitioning to online environments.
Geoscience Teachers Association Resources
Activity Level: K-16
Registration Required: No (Yes for journal access)
Activity types: Professional organization, Professional Development, Online activities, Classroom activities
The National Association of Geoscience Teachers (NAGT) provides professional development, networking, and a large collection of teaching resources for K-16 educators. Are you looking for a rock or mineral specimen to use in your classroom? Check the rock and mineral exchange to see what is available or to make a special request. NAGT also publishes the “Journal of Geoscience Education” and the more informal “In the Trenches,” both are available to NAGT members.
National Digital Science Library Activities
Activity Level: K-16
Registration Required: No
Activity types: Online Activities, Lesson Plans, Classroom Activities
The National Science Digital Library is a searchable database of on-line educational resources for teaching and learning with an emphasis on STEM disciplines. Resources are hosted by external partners who have agreed to list their activities on the digital library. Activities are searchable by subject area, educational standards, education level, material type, and media format.
Ask a Geologist
Activity Level: K-99
Registration Required: No
Activity types: Webform with E-mail contact
We all get stumped sometimes. Have your students come up with an Arizona geology question they just can’t find the answer to? Geologists at the Arizona Geological Survey (AZGS) will happily help them discover the answer. Have your students check out the FAQ to see common questions already answered and maybe get more ideas for questions of their own.
Minerals Education Lesson Plans
Activity Level: K-12
Registration Required: No
Activity types: Online activities, Classroom activities, Lesson plans, Worksheets
The Minerals Education Coalition provides a large, searchable database of activities and resources for educators. Searches can be done by grade level or by applicable education standard addressed by the activity. This extensive collection includes interviews with industry professionals, posters and graphics for the classroom, videos, handouts, coloring pages, and more!
Make Your Own Topo Map
Activity Level: K-16
Registration Required: No
Activity types: Online activities, Lesson Plans, Multimedia, Downloadable Maps
Learn from home with the scientists of the United States Geological Survey(USGS). From recorded lectures, to lesson plans, to free downloadable US Topographic maps of the United States. Using the map tool you can make a free US Topo map .pdf file of your school or neighborhood. The USGS has a large variety of free resources for educators, students, and parents.
Sustainable Geoscience Webinars & Activities
Activity Level: K-12
Registration Required: Yes for live participation (free)
Activity types: Online activities, Webinars
The Earth Institute’s K-12 channel feature experts from across the Earth Institute presenting relevant sustainability content in 60-minute live sessions for K-12 students and educators. Each session has an appropriate targeted age range based on the topic, and the sessions vary between topical lectures, demos, and skills-based training. They also have resources related to the content covered in the on-line sessions.