Educator Resources

Mining is a big part of Wyoming’s history, as well as our current economy. The Wyoming Mining Association is committed to providing educational resources to teachers and students as part of our ongoing mission.

More Resources

These are other organizations that provide informative and educational resources concerning the mining industry. If any of the links fail to work, please contact us.

MineralsEd
This site has quality resources for teachers and students. Developed by the mineral industry of Canada, the Mineral Resources Education Program provides good quality curriculum materials developed by teachers for teachers. Some materials may need to be customized for Wyoming, but this site is worth exploring.

American Coal Foundation
Lesson plans for grades K-12 that meets science as inquiry and physical science standards regarding properties of matter and changes in properties of matter.

National Energy Foundation
This is the official website of the “Out of the Rock” materials. There are portals for teachers and for students plus a link to order materials.

 Virtual Power Plant Tour
Take a virtual tour of a coal-fired power plant so your 4-12th grade students can learn how electricity is generated. Teachers, you’ll need to load prior to taking your students on this tour. This information is available when you open the link above. Students participate in interactive guided tours of a coal mine and the water, steam, and environmental management systems of a major electric-generation facility.

Igniting Creative Energy
A growing energy crisis and a national discussion about the future of our natural resources are bringing the impact of our energy choices closer to home.

What can we as individuals do to make a difference? That is the question the Igniting Creative Energy Challenge is encouraging teachers across the United States and parts of Canada to ask their students. Open to students K-12, the Challenge is an educational competition designed to encourage students to learn more about energy and the environment. Sponsors of the Challenge would like to acknowledge exemplary teaching and reward both teachers and students for expressing their understanding of the issues. All student entries will be recognized, with Grand Prize Trips to Hawaii awarded to three students and one teacher!

The Life Cycle of a Mineral Deposit
A site that provides teachers with a manual, The Life Cycle of a Mineral Deposit – A Teacher’s Guide for Hands-on Mineral Education Activity.

Kids.Gov
Welcome to the U.S. government interagency Kids’ Portal. This site was developed and is maintained by the Federal Citizen Information Center. It provides links to Federal kids’ sites along with some of the best kids’ sites from other organizations all grouped by subject. Explore, learn, have fun, and don’t forget to add us to your favorites!

How Rocks and Minerals are Formed
Take a Journey to the Center of the Earth created for you by fifth grade students in connection with the Franklin Institute. The Journey uses animation and graphics all developed by the students from the John F. Pattie Elementary School in Virginia. Learn about the earth, rocks and minerals, and more.

Rock Hounds
Another exciting program developed in partnership with the Franklin Institute in Virginia. This site provides teachers and students with several options for learning about rocks and minerals, how to collect them safely, how to find out more about them. The Rock Creations option uses animated graphics for young students to help understand how igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic minerals are formed.

Smithsonian Idea Labs
A Smithsonian Museum site that takes students on a investigation in collecting different items.

Minerals Education Coalition
Everything We Have and Everything We Need Comes from our Natural Resources is a source for quality free teaching materials and are provided by the Mineral Information Institute. Check out the graphic, Every American Born Will Need… It’s thought provoking.