Working With Educators and the Community
An important pillar for the mission of the School of Mining Engineering & Mineral Engineering is education beyond the campus.
The K-12 Outreach Program, funded by the Mining & Minerals Education Foundation, teaches students, educators and the community about the importance of minerals to their daily lives, where those minerals come from, and modern advancements in safely producing resources to meet growing demand.
If you are interested in a collaboration with SMEMR and your school or organization, you can request a workshop or get more information below.
K-12 OUTREACH ACTIVITIES
In-Class Workshops
Who: Grades 5-12; college
Where: Your location
Length: varies
Bring engaging, experiential workshops to your classroom, and make learning fun for students with programs such as using chemistry to make copper or mining techniques using kinetic sand activity.
STEAM, College and Career Fairs
Who: Grades 7-12; college
Where: Your location
Length: varies
Introduce college degrees and career possibilities in mineral resources to your students. SMEMR and partner organizations present enjoyable, hands-on activities to explore the field through experiential learning.
Virtual Classroom Presentations
Who: Grades 5-12; college
Where: Zoom
Length: 30 mins – 1 hr
SMEMR’s in-class workshops are also presented virtually. Aligned with AZ state science standards, grades 4-12 can learn about opportunities in the field, mineral uses and properties, designing a mine and more.
On-Campus Tours
Who: Groups or individual prospective students
Where: University of Arizona campus
Length: varies
High school, community college groups, prospective students can visit the school in person. Explore the facilities, attend an information session and meet with faculty members. Full campus tours are also available.
Professional Development for Educators
SMEMR offers a range of opportunities for teachers and other educators to further their own knowledge and bring fun lessons back to the classroom.
One example is the Cu at the Mine! teachers academy. This five-day development course offers field trips, expert discussions, professional networking, and highly engaging classroom resources.
To create a custom event for your school or club, contact SMEMR.
San Xavier Mining Laboratory Tours
Who: All age groups
Where: Sahuarita, Arizona
Length: around 2 hours
The University of Arizona owns and operates the San Xavier Mining Laboratory, in Sahuarita, AZ. Free mine tours and presentations are available for upper-level high school and college groups. Availability and group size is limited.
Mineral Resource Discovery Workshops
Who: Grades 5-12
Where: Flandrau Science Center, Tucson
Length: 2 hours
This program gives students hands-on experience with mining science and engineering. Students are encouraged to connect chemistry and earth science concepts to real-world applications in their everyday lives.
Webinars & Information Sessions
Who: High school, community college and international students
Where: Zoom or phone
Length: around 1hr
Have your questions answered about the school, programs, student life at the university, and careers in a one-on-one session. Most groups can be accommodated, including Spanish speakers.
Summer Engineering Academy
Who: High school students
Where: Online and in-person, Tucson, AZ
Length: one day or longer
The U of A College of Engineering has taught students at the Summer Engineering Academy for over 30 years. Hands-on activities for high schoolers, including graduated seniors, teach about engineering and provide a taste of life as a Wildcat.
If you have questions, please contact SMEMR.
FREE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
K-12 outreach funded by the Mining & Minerals Education Foundation.