Suitable for Yr R-3

 

This hands-on presentation steps students through a series of simple tests and observations that will provide them with an understanding of how minerals are identified and distinguished from one another. Students can then put their new found knowledge into practice with a ‘mystery bag’ of hand specimens. The different everyday uses of minerals are also discussed.

 

What is an ore body? Where do we find one? These days, successful mineral exploration is rarely a matter of stumbling over gold nuggets in your back garden. This presentation steps students through the exploration process, touching upon research, exploration licenses, heritage protection, aerial and ground surveys, drilling, laboratory analysis and environmental rehabilitation.

This session covers the main types of mineral extraction – surface, underground mining and in situ leaching. Students view multimedia of mines and quarries and participate in activities to understand why mining processes need to be specific to the location being mined.

 

 

This presentation covers environmental management. The award winning EnviroSmart school resource is used to show students how mining companies work together to protect the flora and fauna, air, land and water. Students will also have the opportunity to conduct an audit of their own school to identify ways that they can lesson the impact they have on our environment.

What is energy? What are renewable and non-renewable energy sources? This presentation covers the major sources of energy in South Australia and their advantages and disadvantages in terms of sustainable development. Practical demonstrations are used to illustrate a number of forms of energy transfer and electricity generation.

 

This presentation explores the importance of Coal within our contemporary Australian lifestyle. Through the use of samples, students will explore the significance of plants and animals that lived millions of years ago and discover the different stages of their transition into black coal. Other activities will highlight the major coal locations in Australia, how coal is mined, and the everyday uses of coal in products that we use.

 

Even though copper is one of the earliest metals used by humans it continues to be much sought after today. South Australia has had, and continues to have, a history rich in copper mining. This presentation looks at the uses, formation and mining of copper.

 

Find out why this amazing mineral is so sought after and why it has always caused so much excitement. Genuine specimens are handled. This presentation looks at the formation of gold deposits and methods of gold mining – all students will get to try their hand at gold panning!

 

This presentation examines the importance of oil and gas in our contemporary Australian lifestyle - the methodology involved in oil and gas formation, exploration, recovery and uses. Some of the interactive activities include using Tim Tams to understand how oil and gas is trapped in rocks, creating vibrations to understand how oil and gas is found and role playing the refinery process.

Designed to spark an early interest in the Resources Industry amongst primary school students, this interactive presentation highlights the many fantastic career opportunities on offer in the industry and the kinds of future rewards that can be expected from pursuing science and mathematics at school now.