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Partnerships
There’s strength in numbers. We work primarily
with teachers, but we also work with a number of
organizations and government departments to
raise the profile of Earth science and mineral
resource education.
EdGEO
Coordinated by the Canadian Geoscience Education Network of the Canadian
Federation of Earth Sciences (CFES), EdGEO
aims to heighten awareness and appreciation of our planet. Mining Matters is
pleased to work alongside EdGEO to help expand Earth science content in Canadian
high schools and show students how Earth science impacts their daily lives.
Scientists in School
Scientists in School (SiS), a charitable organization founded in 1989, aims to
ignite passion for science and technology in elementary school-aged children,
their teachers, and their parents. Students become the scientists in exciting
hands-on curriculum-aligned workshops led by knowledgeable SiS presenters.
Teachers can tap into the knowledge of science and engineering experts. Each
school year, over 575,000 young scientists and their teachers participate in SiS
workshops. SiS reaches out to over 200 Ontario communities and recently opening
its first outside-of-Ontario branch in Lethbridge, Alberta. In 2010 Mining
Matters joined forces with SiS to
- provide training support to
the SiS network of Earth science presenters
- act as a resource for SiS
workshop and activity development in Earth science
- provide teacher resource
materials, including rock and mineral samples, to enhance the SiS classroom
workshop follow-up package
- co-facilitate teacher
professional development sessions
To learn more, visit http://www.scientistsinschool.ca/
Visions of Science Network for Learning Inc. (VoSNL)
Visions of Science, a non-profit organization,
runs science clubs across the Greater Toronto
Area for African-Canadian and other
under-represented youth in Grades 5 to 8. Mining
Matters leads hands-on activities at these clubs
and introduces youth to the science behind
diamond exploration and mining.
To learn more visit
http://www.visionsofscience.ca/sciclubs.html.
Northern Outreach
Mining Matters partners with multiple
First Nation Communities in Ontario and Manitoba
to build recognition among Canadian resource
industries of Aboriginal peoples’ important role
in traditional land and resources management
skills. The Mining Matters Aboriginal
Youth Outreach Camp program reaches out to
Aboriginal youth approaching workforce age,
showing them relevant learning opportunities and
real employment possibilities. The program
teaches these youth about Earth science, mineral
exploration, mining, and the environment .
Mineral Resources Education Program of BC
(MREPBC)
The MREPBC is a charitable organization that
strives to foster a well-informed public through
school education based on accurate and balanced
minerals information, and to stimulate young
people’s interest in minerals industry careers.
Mining Matters is proud to partner with the
MREPBC to implement Discovering Diamonds in
British Columbia using their established
teacher-training education program.
Take a look at
http://www.bcminerals.ca
Industry and Associations
Our program development and implementation are
made possible by financial and in-kind
contributions from the mineral and aggregate
industries, individuals, foundations,
corporations, and government. Their generous
support allows Mining Matters to bring Earth
science to life in Aboriginal Youth Outreach
Camps and in classrooms across Canada.
We have worked with partner organizations to
deliver workshops and field trips to educators
at the 2009 Joint Assembly and GeoCanada 2010,
both interdisciplinary geosciences conferences.
Government
More than 60 samples—representing 25 different
types of metallic and industrial minerals,
aggregates, and the three main rock groups
(igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic)—are
required for each curriculum kit. For these we
rely greatly on our partnership with the Ontario
Ministry of Northern Development and Mines.
Government geologists aid in collecting and
sizing samples from across the province and also
provide technical support to our education
staff.
Mining Matters partners with provincial
Ministries of Education to ensure accurate
information in Earth science curriculum. In
2008, we assembled a team of technical reviewers
from government, industry, academia, and
education to review the Ontario Ministry of
Education revised curriculum and submit
suggested changes, many of which were
implemented.
Colleges and Universities
Mining Matters is developing
partnerships with Colleges and Universities.
Carleton University, Laurentian University,
Brock University, Queen’s University, Fleming
College, and the University of Manitoba have all
partnered with us to host teacher workshops.
We have worked with Cambrian College to support
their “Discover College Camp for First Nation
Youth,” and with the University of Toronto,
Department of Geology to support their Ontario
Secondary Schools Teachers Federation Earth and
Planetary Sciences workshop. We have also
collaborated with Confederation College
incorporating our Aboriginal Education and
Outreach initiatives into their First Nations
Natural Resources Youth Employment Program
(FNNRYEP). |
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Looking Ahead
Here are just a few of the projects we’re planning:
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a new intermediate-level
classroom module focusing on mineral exploration and mining in support of
natural resources curriculum across Canada |
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French translation of
educational resources |
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increased public outreach at
gem and mineral shows, Mining Week celebrations, career fairs, and industry
conferences
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