Roundup Rockhounds

In cooperation with AME BC, the Mineral Resources Education Program of BC will once again be hosting students and teachers in special programs at Roundup 2012. High school students from Lower Mainland schools will attend on Monday for a day focused on careers in our industry. Some of these will also be displaying their Geology 12 class projects in the poster session that day. Guest speakers representing a cross-section of industry careers will share their personal backgrounds and career stories. Post-secondary students will also share information about their related educational programs and experiences and serve as guides to help these guests explore the tradeshow to observe the many specialty fields and breadth of careers in our sector.

We are expecting around 120 elementary student delegates to attend Roundup 2012 on Tuesday. These young people have been working on Earth Sciences or mining units in class this fall and will display many of their school projects throughout the week in the Westin Bayshore foyer and mezzanine. The engaging learning activities planned for them include listening to exploration geologists speak about their exciting work; viewing rock, mineral and fossil collections; trying to “stump” a real geologist with one of their own special rocks; learning how geologists explore for diamonds; panning for gold; and exploring the Trade Show to learn from exhibitors about the work they do and roles they play in mineral exploration and mining.

Thursday will be Teachers’ Day at Roundup 2012. The theme and nature of their program varies from year to year, always providing professional development to assist them in teaching topics in science, social studies, career education at all grade levels.

The Mineral Resources Education Program of BC (MREPBC) is a partnership program between teachers and the minerals industry in BC. It was created to assist teachers in their development of educational materials to support teaching about minerals, mining, and geoscience in the classroom. The program’s goals are to foster a well-informed public through school education based on accurate and balanced minerals information, and to stimulate young peoples’ interest in minerals industry careers.

The Mineral Resources Education Program of BC, a registered charitable organization, will be hosting their 8th annual silent auction during the AME BC Awards reception and dinner on Wednesday. Funds raised at this event support MREPBC’s many educational initiatives for teachers and students delivered throughout the school year.

To learn more about the Mineral Resources Education Program of BC, please visit www.bcminerals.ca.