Curated OER
Finding Wind Direction
Students identify the wind direction. In this weather lesson, students use a weather vane to find the wind direction. Students complete a worksheet.
Curated OER
Getting to Work and Making Money
Students explain how geography and climate play a role in the professions that are unique to their city. They explain how geography and climate influence the forms of transportation in their city.
Curated OER
Building Up, Breaking Down
Students explore their school building and examine the rocks it is made of. They discover how rocks become building materials and participate in a variety of activities surrounding this subject.
US Department of Labor
Bureau of Labor Statistics: Career Guide to Industries: Mining
Bureau of Labor Statistics provides information on mining and geological engineering which includes the nature of the industry, working conditions, employment, outlook, and earnings.
Other
Arkansas Geological Survey: Lignite
Article on lignite that includes general information as well as a history of lignite mining and a summary of the geology of lignite deposits. The second section presents more detailed information about lignite geology in Arkansas.
University of Kentucky
University of Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey: Coal Mining
Easy-to-understand information and a colorful diagram on the underground and surface mining methods used for extracting coal.
Other
Caterpillar: Ground Rules: Mining Right for a Sustainable Future [Pdf]
This set of lesson plans was developed to accompany Ground Rules: Mining Right for a Sustainable Future, a documentary film created by Caterpillar and Science North. They introduce students to the various phases involved in mining,...
![U.s. Geological Survey: The Life Cycle of a Mineral Deposit [Pdf] Lesson Plan](https://content.lessonplanet.com/knovation/original/103395-5c42239a8a99c7379ce149e931874c8b.jpg?1661543877 "U.s. Geological Survey: The Life Cycle of a Mineral Deposit [Pdf] Lesson Plan")
US Geological Survey
U.s. Geological Survey: The Life Cycle of a Mineral Deposit [Pdf]
This teacher's guide consisting of 10 activity based learning exercises defines what a mineral deposit is and how a mineral deposit is identified and measured, how the mineral resources are extracted, how the mining site is reclaimed,...
Other
Montana Junior College: Mining History and Geology of the California Gold Rush
The physical characteristics, history, and mining of gold in California are examined in this thorough site.
Curated OER
National Park Service: Tour of Park Geology: Human Use Sites
The National Parks Service properties are used for a variety of reasons. This website will explore how the land is used for mining, by indigenous people, and much more.
US Geological Survey
U.s. Geological Survey: Minerals Information
The USGS offers maps of the locations of mines and mineral processing plants. You can find the sources for everything from aluminum to zircon!
Indiana University
Indiana Univ. Bloomington: Geo Notes: History of Coal Mining in Indiana [Pdf]
A brief history of coal mining in Indiana.
US Geological Survey
U.s. Geological Survey: Gold
Heinrich Schliemann is briefly mentioned as part of a larger discussion about the geology of gold. A brief history of the precious metal refers to the gravesites discovered by Schliemann at the ancient city of Mycenae in Greece.
US Geological Survey
U.s. Geological Survey: Cadmium
The U.S. Geological Survey offers a nice listing of available documents on cadmium and cadmium mining.
US Geological Survey
U.s. Geological Survey: Indium
A listing of PDF files on indium and its mining and sources. Check out this great resource!
Other
Rock'n Metal
This is an educational game that teaches about the mining industry. Participants must register for a user ID but it is quick to do. Once inside, you have access to detailed information about geology, exploration and development,...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Minerals in Our Environment
What minerals are in your toothpaste? A pencil? A telephone? This interactive resource adapted from the U.S. Geological Survey illustrates the variety of minerals used in everyday items found in kitchens, bathrooms, offices, and yards.
US Geological Survey
U.s. Geological Survey: Prospecting for Gold in the United States
This informative site delves into the difficulty of prospecting for gold. A detailed description of placer deposits and lode gold is included in this site.
University of Kentucky
Kentucky Geological Survey: How Is Coal Formed?
Describes the evolution of dead plant matter into coal.
US Geological Survey
U.s. Geological Suvrvey: Gold
General information about the consumption and mining of gold.
Utah Education Network
Uen: Utah History Encyclopedia
This is a resource about the state of Utah. Includes images and articles on everything from geology to famous people in the state.
US Department of Labor
Bureau of Labor Statistics: Engineers
Mining engineers are described here along with all other types of engineers. The report also gives prospective earnings and a prediction of the future of a career.
Curated OER
National Park Service: Energy and Minerals
A site that reviews over the mining of minerals, oils, and gasses in the National Parks. Understand that programs that are put in place to ensure the mining is done responsibility and does not affect the parks resources.
US Geological Survey
Usgs: Water Use in the United States
This thorough site delves into how we use water on an everyday basis. Ground water, surface water, domestic use, commercial use, irrigation use, are just a few of the topics described on this site. Click Home to access the site in Spanish.