Lowell Institute for Mineral Resources Outreach Program
Everyone should have an opportunity to learn how we use minerals in our lives and where they come from, what modern mining really is and which professional opportunities it offers.Our outreach programs provide resources and programming for K-12 and college-level groups to discover the exciting world of mineral resources.Look below for the exciting in-person and virtual programs available to you and your students!WATCH OUR VIDEO!

 

Educational Videos

Who: K-7th grade
Where: Online content you can share with your students and classrooms!
Length: 3 minutes each

In this era of online interconnectedness, we are developing educational content to reach more educators and students! Our series “Minerals Make it,” intended for K-7th grade students, explores the minerals that make up everyday items: copper, gold, salt, graphite… Find and share our videos on our YouTube channel.

Who: K-12th grade
Where: Online content you can share with your students and classrooms!
Length: 3-10 minutes each

What does a Mining Engineer do? What do you love about your job? What advice do you have for high school students? The ‘Ask A Pro’ career-exploration video series gives you a chance to explore your interests and career options by connecting with industry professionals. Through these short interview videos students can hear professionals’ real world experiences!

Virtual Info Sessions:

Who: Prospective high school & community college students
Where: Online platform via Zoom or phone call
Length: 30mins – 1hr

Can’t make it to Tucson for an in-person visit? Virtual info sessions offer prospective students interested in a degree from the University of Arizona in one of our focus areas such as Mining & Geological Engineering or Economic Geology a chance to learn more about the exciting opportunities in the world of mineral resources. Get your questions answered about the school, programs, careers, or life in at the University of Arizona! Meet and talk with our recruiter by scheduling an appointment!

To complement your session, watch our short “UArizona Mining Engineering” videos for more insight into the mining engineering journey.

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT

Webinars

Who: High school, community college and international student groups
Where: Online platform via Zoom
Length: ~1hr

We offer an opportunity for groups to learn more about the University of Arizona’s Mineral resource degrees through webinars specially curated for groups. These live online webinars are a great way for students to connect virtually and ask any questions. We can accommodate for any type of group including hosting webinars in Spanish for Latin American groups. Topics include the degrees offered, student experience, program requirements and more depending on the groups needs. Request a Webinar by emailing: mariomunoz@arizona.edu(link sends e-mail)

REQUEST A WEBINAR

VIEW OUR PAST WEBINARS

 

Classroom Presentations

Who: grades 5-12; college
Where: In-person or available in virtual format!
Length: 30 min. – 1 hr. program

Presentations available for classes, clubs and groups interested in gaining a deeper understanding of mining and mineral resources. Presentations are aligned with Arizona state science standards and hands-on activities and/or demonstrations are available for most in-person topics. Topics and suggested audiences:

  • Careers & Academic Opportunities in Mining       (9-12; college)
  • Minerals–properties and uses (4-12)
  • Design a Mine (9-12)
  • Mineral Processing Engineering (9-12)

PRESENTATION DESCRIPTIONS

REQUEST YOUR PRESENTATION

 

STEAM, College, and Career Fairs

Who: grades 7-12; college
Where: we come to you
Length: variable

Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math fairs and other events can be a great setting to make 7th – 12th graders and college-level students familiar with mineral resources topics. In additon, we also participate in College, Career & Transfer Fairs promoting  mineral resources careers and degrees!

Together with our partner organizations, we can contribute to your event throughout the state of Arizona with an exhibition table/booth and our outreach coordinators. Hands-on activities and table demonstrations help attendees explore the science and engineering of mining through experiential learning.

Please contact us to tell us about your upcoming event:

CONTACT US(LINK SENDS E-MAIL)

 

Classroom Workshops

Who: grades 5-12; college
Where: We come to you
Length: varies

We offer engaging hands-on or experiential learning workshops that are fun and educative for students and compliment Arizona educational curriculum. These unique workshops allow students to gain a better understanding of the role of minerals in their lives though demonstrations, guided lab activities and team exercises.

For instance, students may learn about chemistry by students to creating copper metal using simple materials or learn about mining engineering through a collaborative kinetic sand activity where they collect data and and design a mine. To see a list of the workshops click below:

REQUEST A WORKSHOP 

 

Department Tours

Who: Groups or individual prospective students
Where:  Online or UArizona Mines and Metallurgy Building
Length:  ~30 mins – 1hr

High school & community college groups as well as prospective students & their families are encouraged to visit the Mining & Geological Engineering Department. We offer opportunities to tour facilities and department, attend an information session or meet with a faculty member. We make every effort to accommodate all requests for department visits year-round and visitors have the option to sign up for University or College of Engineering tours as well.

Please note: Department tours for Fall 2021 will be scheduled following university re-entry safety protocols.

REQUEST A VISIT

 

San Xavier Mining Laboratory Tours

Who: all age groups
Where: Sahuarita, Arizona
Length: ~2 hours

Did you know that the University of Arizona owns and operates an underground mine in Sahuarita, the San Xavier Mining Laboratory? Mine tours are available for upper-level high school and college groups interested in mining and rock-stabilization methods and geology. Group sizes underground are limited to 15, however split programs can accommodate larger groups and may include lectures or surface activities provided by UArizona students, staff or faculty. Tours are free, but availability is limited.

REQUEST A TOUR

GIVE FEEDBACK ON A TOUR

 

Mineral Resource Discovery Workshops

Who: grades 5-12
Where: Flandrau Science Center, Tucson
Length: 2 hours

This program gives students hands-on experience with the science and engineering of today’s mining industry. Students are encouraged to connect chemistry and earth science concepts learned in the classroom to their applications in an industry that touches all of our lives. Stations include
1. How mineral deposits form
2. Exploration geology
3. Mine engineering and planning
4. Mineral processing chemistry
5. Environmental effects and monitoring.

Please note: Discovery Workshops are planned to resume in Spring 2022

REGISTER FOR A WORKSHOP

 

Virtual Hiking Tours

Who: Everyone!
Where: Online or in person (Hike along!)
Length: Variable

Are you stuck inside on a hot, smokey, summer day? Or maybe you are looking for your next outdoor adventure!

Try out our Google Earth Web based hiking tours. Each tour will lead you on a journey to discover some of the history of mining and mineral resources around Tucson. Take them with you as a guide while you hike by using the free Google Earth app for smart devices. Or view them from your Chrome browser in the air conditioned comfort of your own home.

Either way,

LET’S GO EXPLORING!

 

Virtual Mine Tours

Who: Everyone!
Where: Online or in person (Hike along!)
Length: Variable

Discover the minerals and mines of Arizona from the comfort of your couch!

We all depend on mineral resources mined out of the ground to live our lives. Yet we don’t often think of where those resources come from. 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 will help you explore where Arizona’s minerals come from. Our beautiful state is waiting.

Come on!

LET’S GO EXPLORING!

 

Summer Engineering Academy

Who: high school students
Where: 2021: virtual, 2022: tbd
Length: one week

Hands-on activities in the virtual space: The UArizona College of Engineering has hosted the Summer Engineering Academy (SEA) for more than 30 years. SEA offers summer camps for high school students, including graduated seniors, who want to learn more about engineering – and get a taste of life as a Wildcat! In 2019, the College hosted more than 200 students from over 120 high schools in 14 states. Forty-seven students from 16 different states participated in the Mining and Geological Engineering day in Summer 2021.

FIND OUT MORE

 

 

 


Science Topics
Advanced Manufacturing, Geology
K-6, Middle School, High School, Educator
Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade, 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade, 9th Grade, 10th Grade, 11th Grade, 12th Grade

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The University of Arizona, Lowell Institute for Mineral Resources

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