Cu at the Mine! is a mining and minerals themed professional development academy designed for middle and high school science teachers in Arizona. It is being designed and presented by the Education Outreach Program at the University of Arizona School of Mining and Mineral Resources to raise awareness of the role mining and minerals could and should play in Arizona 6-12 education.
The academy will run from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. MST daily, Monday through Friday during the weeks that the academy is in session. Teachers should register for one session only.
Session 1: June 2-6, 2025
Session 2: June 23-27, 2025
Session 3 (TENTATIVE!): July 7-11, 2025
Housing for participants will be provided in the University of Arizona Corondo Dormitory 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.
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.
- a reflection on how the academy might impact the participant’s professional practice.
- at least one social media post regarding the academy or related content.
- up to three surveys after the academy regarding satisfaction and implementation of academy resources.
Participants will take away from the academy:
- a dramatically increased appreciation for the role minerals and mining play in our everyday lives and the Green Energy Revolution.
- a significantly deeper understanding of the potential interactions of mining and mineral concepts with 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 eight, ready-to-use, AZ Science Standards-aligned lesson plans.
- a minimum of $100-worth of classroom supplies, including a portable water table and an electrowinning demonstration kit.
- connections to Arizona-based mining and geoscience professionals and academics to assist with future planning.
- a network of like-minded science education colleagues for future collaboration.
- a University of Arizona School of Mining and Mineral Resources swag bag and program resources.
A continental breakfast and catered lunch will be provided each day. 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 and Mineral Resources Outreach Program.
- Contact Name: Dan Moreno
- Phone No: (520)390-9279
- Email Address: dmoreno13@catworks.arizona.edu