Roundup 2010 - Student and Teacher Programs

Mineral Exploration Roundup, western Canada's major mineral exploration conference, is right around the corner. The Mineral Resources Education Program of BC (MRPEBC) is working again with conference hosts, the Association for Mineral Exploration BC (AME BC), to integrate teachers and students into this event.

MON. JAN. 18, SECONDARY ROUNDUP ROCKHOUNDS
MREPBC is hosting a careers exploration day for high school students on January 18th. Special guests are Geology 12 students from West Vancouver Secondary who will display their geology projects in the main exhibit hall. Interested students from other schools are invited to join them for a program that will include: attending a technical session, a guided exploration of the conference with post-secondary student guides to learn more about exploration and mining and people who work in the sector, guests speakers from a variety of industry careers, and free lunch.
Students must be nominated by their teachers to attend.
Teacher / student Information
Parent Permission Form

TUES. JAN. 19, ELEMENTARY ROUNDUP ROCKHOUNDS
MREPBC is delighted host our 7th group of Roundup Rockhounds to this exciting conference. Students from Stephen Leung's Grade 7 and Susan Pennefeather's Grade 6-7 classes at William Watson Elementary in Surrey and Jackie Harris' Grade 5 and Kevin Williams' Gade 7 classes at Dorothy Lynas Elementary in North Vancouver are our invited special guests this year. These students have been working on Earth Sciences and mining units this fall and have developed special projects that will be on display at the conference all week!
They will experience a fun, hands-on mini-conference delivered by dozens of volunteers at Roundup that will include: an exploration geologist presentation, a Stump the Geologist station, examining superb rock, mineral and fossil collections, panning for gold with Yukon Dan, a guided Treasure Hunt through the exhibits, and much more!
Take a look at some photos from Roundup 2009 here!

THURS. JAN. 21, MINERAL AND CAREER EDUCATION FORUM FOR TEACHERS
Classroom teachers and career educators are invited to participate in a half day (9:00am-1:30pm) program at Roundup on Thursday, January 21 to support their own professional development in the realms of minerals and career education.

MREPBC teacher-partner and life long highschool teacher, Bruce Kiloh, will facilitate the program.

Exploration geologist and BCIT mining program instructor, Rob Stevens, will introduce the mineral development cycle, revealing the multi-faceted nature of the industry, the wide range of occupations involved, and anticipated workforce needs in the next decade and beyond.

Participants will explore the Trade Show, guided by a Treasure Hunt booklet, presenting infinite opportunities to talk with people working in a variety of exploration and mining businesses and a host of related supplier and service businesses. Exploration and mining are multifaceted businesses, and a very broad range of companies are represented: exploration, law, mining, accounting, environmental engineering, helicopter services, portable shelters, software developers, stock brokers, printers, web designers, etc. The tradeshow demonstrates the enormous range of skills and talent that people bring to the broad mining sector to make it work safely, efficiently, economically, sustainably.

Lunch will be provided, followed by a period for educator feedback and discussion on mineral education and career awareness.

There will also be opportunity in the morning and after lunch to attend one or more professional talks, which on Thursday focus on International Exploration.

This is a great professional development opportunity for those who teach topics in Earth Sciences, Social Studies or Career Education. Exhibitors are aware that teachers will be attending; they commonly have print materials, some of which may be useful in course development. Some exhibitors may be receptive to discussions on hosting work experience students. Others may be open to visiting a class or to arranging a field trip.

You may register by emailing your name and school contact information, including the subjects you teach to info@bcminerals.ca.

Note: AME BC welcomes teachers throughout the week and are waiving conference fees. Teachers who would like to attend Roundup on a day other than January 21st must also register through MREPBC and may do so by sending a note to info@bcminerals.ca.