Cu at the Mine! is a mining and minerals-themed professional development academy designed for middle and high school STEM and CTE teachers and counselors in Arizona. It is designed and presented by the Education Outreach Program at the University of Arizona School of Mining Engineering & Mineral Resources to raise awareness of the role minerals and mining could and should play in Arizona’s STEM education in grades 6-12.
The academy runs from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. MST daily, Monday through Wednesday and Friday during the weeks that the academy is in session. A networking social occurs on Thursday evening and extends the work day (see the agenda for more details). Potential participants should register for one session only.
Session 1: June 1-5, 2026
Session 2: June 22-26, 2026
Session 3: July 6-10, 2026
Housing for participants will be provided by the University of Arizona beginning the Sunday evening before each session and running through the Thursday evening of that week. See the Housing page for more details.
The academy consists of an engaging mix of presentations by industry experts and academics, Arizona Science Standard-aligned classroom lessons, field trips to local mining industry businesses, collaborative lesson planning sessions, and networking opportunities. Please see the Agenda page for more details.
The possibility to earn up to $1000 exists for participants who successfully complete all of the academy deliverables, including:
- a publishable, AZ Science Standards-aligned lesson plan applying either the concepts or the resources presented during the academy.
- at least one social media post regarding the academy or related content.
- pre- and post-instruction surveys and videos for marketing and program evaluation purposes.
Participants will take away from the academy:
- a dramatically increased appreciation for the role minerals and mining play in our everyday lives.
- a significantly deeper understanding of the potential interactions between mining and mineral concepts, the Arizona Science Standards, and three-dimensional science teaching and learning.
- a more sophisticated awareness of the over 100 career paths available in the mining industry and the role K-12 education can play in accessing those pathways.
- a minimum of five, ready-to-use, AZ Science Standards-aligned lesson plans.
- classroom demonstration supplies, including a portable water table and an electrowinning kit.
- connections to Arizona-based mining and geoscience professionals and academics to assist with future planning.
- a network of like-minded STEM education colleagues for future collaboration.
- a University of Arizona School of Mining and Mineral Resources swag bag and program resources.
- a completion certificate for up to 40 hours of continuing education/professional development hours for use in recertification purposes
A continental breakfast will be provided each day. Lunch is provided at the all-you-care-to-eat Cactus Grill in the Student Union Memorial Center, Monday-Thursday, and will be catered at a mine site on Friday. Dinner will be on your own except for the night of the networking social. Dinner and drinks will be provided on Thursday night at the networking social along with the opportunity to network with area industry and education professionals.
- For questions regarding this resource, please contact School of Mining Engineering & Mineral Resources.
- Contact Name: Chris Earnest
- Phone No: (520) 404-1222
- Email Address: earnest@arizona.edu