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Joel Aquino
University of North Georgia / Hall County Schools
Dr. Aquino's career can be summarized and has evolved from being an "Explorer of Mines to Explorer of Minds". He teaches the cross-disciplines of Physics, Physical Science, Earth Systems and Geology in high school, college and graduate level programs (Hall County Schools, Univ of North Georgia, Brenau University and Piedmont College). His professional background includes a combined 37 years of teaching, research and mineral industry experiences that span across several nations (Philippines, United States, Australia, Germany Indochina and Japan). The highlight of his mineral industry career is his being part of a team that discovered the $13 billion Sepon copper-gold deposit in Laos. As a K-12 educator, he holds several science teaching certifications that include gifted-in-field and ESOL endorsements. He has been the recipient of several local, state and national teaching awards and professional travel grants. To continue his passion in mineral exploration, He still occasionally conducts part-time contract/consulting work for mining companied
Research/Special Interests
- Exploration strategies, structural deformation and metallogenesis of mineral deposits.
- Energy sources of the future.
- Efficacy of research-based instructional methods in actual K-12 classroom teaching.
Website Content Contributions
Activities (2)
The Use of Cube Puzzle and Toilet Paper Roll Model in Teaching The Nature of Science part of Integrate:Workshops and Webinars:Teaching the Methods of Geoscience:Activities
This is a hands-on activity in scientific method that uses inexpensive materials such as carton boxes, toilet paper roll tube, strings and toothpicks. It engages the students to conduct pattern observation, prediction, testing and ends up with a model construction. It also encourages thinking outside the box, group discussion and creation of individual cube puzzles.
Simulating Mineral Industry Drilling and Processing Lab part of Integrate:Workshops and Webinars:Engineering, Sustainability, and the Geosciences:Activities
Students simulate two processes applied by the mineral industry - drilling and mineral processing. In the drilling activity, students create a 3D model of a hidden object inside a shoebox by using bamboo skewers as their drilling machines. The second activity on mineral processing challenges the students to design and implement a flowchart on how to separate the individual components of a water-oil laden mineral mixture.
Course (1)
Physical Geology part of Integrate:Workshops and Webinars:Teaching the Methods of Geoscience:Course
This course, Physical Geology, is a college-level introductory course whose general aim is to provide an "overall" perspective about earth science. It is never meant to be comprehensive in scope but ...
Essays (3)
SUSTAINABLE EARTH? BLAH... WE ARE AN INTERSTELLAR SPECIES! part of Integrate:Workshops and Webinars:Earth Education for Sustainable Societies:Essays
Joel S. Aquino, PhD Hall County Schools *, Univ of North Georgia**, Brenau Univ** and Piedmont College** I have been on both sides of the equation - mineral resource extraction and environmental impact studies. I ...
Integrating Engineering Concepts to Introductory Geoscience Courses part of Integrate:Workshops and Webinars:Engineering, Sustainability, and the Geosciences:Essays
Joel S Aquino, PhD, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, University of North Georgia (formerly Gainesville State College) My approach in teaching the integration of geosciences and engineering stems from my ...
The use of field experience and anecdotes in teaching part of Integrate:Workshops and Webinars:Teaching the Methods of Geoscience:Essays
The use of field experience and anecdotes in teaching Joel S Aquino, PhD, STEM, Gainesville State College "Teaching geology without a fieldtrip is blasphemy" Joel S. Aquino My experience in teaching the ...