Mining Matters
e-News
Issue #26, Spring 2022
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Read our e-News to catch up on what we at Mining Matters have been working on over the past few months and to see what we have coming up. |
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NEW! Critical Minerals Workshop
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Last year, Canada released a list of 31 minerals considered critical for the sustainable economic success of Canada and of its global partners.
In light of this, Mining Matters recently developed a new workshop about Canada’s critical minerals.
The workshop will be separated into three parts:
1. The Lab: Students will experiment with a selection of critical minerals, learning about their unique attributes, and developing their own skills as they investigate and build using samples and tools.
2. Deconstruct Technology: Students will develop a personal list of critical minerals in their smart phone and discuss the complexity and implications of global supply chains for materials in their devices.
3. Guided Discussion: Based on the World Café model, students will come to understand that critical minerals have a role to play as we attempt to build a low carbon future and explore why these minerals are critical from different perspectives.
Mining Matters would like to thank the Government of the Northwest Territories for their support of this project.
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Since 2020, Mining Matters has shipped more than 2,000 kits to communities, schools, and families across the nation. This past quarter, more than 500 kits went to communities in Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and the Northwest Territories.
We received funding from the Mineral Resources Development Fund administered by the Geoscience and Mines Branch of the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables to provide GEMS kits on the east coast. Our team distributed 180 GEMS kits to Sipekne’Katik First Nation, Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre in Halifax, Millbrook First Nation, Eskasoni First Nation, Paqtnkek Mi'kmaw Nation, and Pictou Landing First Nation. To date, 204 youth have taken part in the program. We would also like to thank the Atlantic Geoscience Society, Mining Association of Nova Scotia, Ignite Atlantic and Anaconda Mining for their support of our Nova Scotia GEMS kits.
Mining Matters also recently partnered with the Kivalliq Science Educators’ Community. We will be preparing 50 classroom GEMS kits that will reach 1,000 students!
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Discovering Rocks and Minerals in Saskatchewan |
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This past winter, 23 Saskatchewan teachers participated in a custom professional development workshop. With support from the the International Minerals Innovation Institute and Saskatchewan Mining Association (SMA) participants received lesson plans and materials for teaching Earth science curricula in their province. The tailored resource kit includes stronger references to Indigenous perspectives and incorporates educational resources developed by the SMA Education Committee. |
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Deeper and Deeper Teacher Workshop and Resource Kit
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Mining Matters invites educators to take part in our Deeper and Deeper: Discovering Rocks and Minerals professional development workshop.
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Young Toronto Mineralogists Club |
Mining Matters was invited by the Young Toronto Mineralogists Club to deliver a guest workshop at the end of February.
Thirty-three youth participated in discussions about fluorescent minerals and watched a demonstration. Using an adapted USB microscope, they also observed the optical properties of thin sections with plane and cross polarized light.
The club is full of young rockhounds and it was great to share more information about rocks and minerals with them. Thank you to CIBC, Proud Sponsor of STEM Partnerships, for their support of this program.
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10th Anniversary Teacher Mining Tour Video |
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On January 25th, the Ontario Mining Association, the Canadian Ecology Centre and Mining Matters released a video celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Mineral Resources and Mining Education Tours. Watch the full video here.
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Silent Auction Donations Needed |
Every year, Mining Matters participates in the PDAC Convention during which we hold a silent auction to raise money for our programs. We are seeking donations to be added to our auction. In the past we have received artwork, sports memorabilia, tickets to attractions, collectibles and clothing.
If you have an item you would like to donate, please contact Sarah at shahn@miningmatters.ca. Items must be received by Mining Matters no later than May 13, 2022.
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Other ways you can support us in our mission:
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Social Media
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn and share our posts with your friends and loved ones.
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Send Us Feedback
We would love to hear from you.
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Your monetary contribution supports the development and delivery of our innovative, curriculum-linked educational programs.
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We would like to thank all of our donors, sponsors, and partners -- without you, we could not share our love of geoscience with young people and educators across the country! Your support allows us to innovate, inform, and inspire thousands of students and their many diverse communities. |
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1102 - 150 Ferrand Drive, Toronto, ON M3C 3E5
T: 416-863-6463 | F: 416-863-9900
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