SME sections get support to attend state science teacher conferences

This fiscal year, the Minerals Education Coalition (MEC) offered SME sections additional support. If SME sections attend their state science teacher conferences or other local outreach events, MEC will pay for their booth fees and provide flyers and posters that they can give out at the event. So far, SME sections have attended four events in their local community as part of this new program, and shared information about the importance of mined minerals with more than 500 members of the public. The SME Colorado Section attended the Colorado Science Conference on Oct. 25, 2024. Free rock and mineral kits and MEC materials were provided to approximately 70 teachers by Alan Cram and Dick Beach. Beach also made a presentation to the teachers about the minerals we need for the transition to the new energy era. Wayne Heili from the SME Central Wyoming Section coordinated with MEC to support the section’s participation in several STEM/STEAM youth education events in May 2025. At two STEAM career fairs for high school seniors hosted by Central Wyoming Community College, a booth was set up to highlight career opportunities in mining and educational paths that would lead to mining careers, and Heili, J.J. Brown and Terrence Osier presented to approximately 270 high school students. Heili and Lynn Swank also prepared an educational booth for the free Casper Science Zone STEM night. The nuclear energy-themed booth featured an interactive demonstration of the uranium in situ recovery process and highlighted Wyoming’s uranium recovery industry as an important source of nuclear fuel. Youth participants were given free samples of several ore-grade minerals. More than 250 community members attended the event. Kurt Doran and Lisa Rudstrom, chair and vice chair of the MEC Committee and members of the SME Northern Minnesota Section, presented two sessions at the Minnesota Minerals Education Workshop on June 17. They presented a “mini-Mining 101,” discussed mining perceptions and curriculum connections, and conducted a hands-on gold panning activity with 18 teachers. Rudstrom explained that they shared a key message: “If it can’t be grown, it must be mined — and understanding that simple truth is essential to building an informed, responsible society that values both the resources it uses and the environment it shares.” This fall, more SME sections are planning to attend their state’s science teacher conferences with MEC’s support. Contact MEC at MEC@smenet.org to find out how your SME section can participate in this program.

SME sections get support to attend state science teacher conferences

Authored by: Rebecca Smith

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