Activity Option 6.2 - Gold Mining and Impacts part of Humans Dependence on Earths Mineral Resources
Leah Joseph, Ursinus College; Joy Branlund, Northeastern Junior College
This activity asks students to investigate different aspects of gold mining and think critically about the perceived and real needs for this mineral resource as well as the impacts (both positive and negative) that ...

Activity Option 6.1 - Phosphorus Mining and Impacts part of Humans Dependence on Earths Mineral Resources
Joy Branlund, Northeastern Junior College
Mined phosphorus is considered essential for agriculture, especially with the need to feed the ever growing population. However, there are consequences of phosphate mining and use, including pollution at mine sites ...

Activity 3.2 - Ore Grades, Waste, and Remediation part of Humans Dependence on Earths Mineral Resources
Leah Joseph, Ursinus College
This activity focuses on the interrelationships of ore grades, economics, mining impacts/decisions, and other factors. It is intended as a small-group activity, where different groups of students work on one of ...

Activity Option 2.2 - Rare Earth Elements: Critical Elements of the Future part of Humans Dependence on Earths Mineral Resources
PRAJUKTI Bhattacharyya, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
This activity is based on the global supply and demand relationships of rare earth elements (REE). Students will work in small groups to analyze China's role in global REE production and supply, and how REE ...

Activity 3.1 - Muffin Mining part of Humans Dependence on Earths Mineral Resources
Leah Joseph, Ursinus College
This activity is intended to fill the first part of a class period on mining and mining impacts. It is a hands-on activity in which students, in small groups, "mine" the blueberries or chocolate chips out ...

Activity Option 2.1 - Batteries as an Example of Consumer Demand and Mineral Supply part of Humans Dependence on Earths Mineral Resources
Joy Branlund, Northeastern Junior College
Changes in rechargeable battery technology have dictated the supply and demand of commodities such as lithium, cobalt, cadmium, nickel, and lead. Students will study the changing technologies and other societal ...

Activity 1.3 - Economic Development and Resource Use part of Humans Dependence on Earths Mineral Resources
Leah Joseph, Ursinus College; Joy Branlund, Northeastern Junior College
This short activity (10--15 minutes) for Unit 1 introduces students to the general relationship between economic development and resource use, and, particularly with the follow-up homework, the relationship among ...

Pre-Unit 3 Homework - Abandoned Mine Lands & SuperFund/National Priorities List part of Humans Dependence on Earths Mineral Resources
Leah Joseph, Ursinus College
This optional homework asks students to investigate some of the impacts of previous mines, mining, and/or mineral resources processing on the surrounding environment and human health. Many of the sites were ...

The Dark Side of Mineral Mining part of Teaching Activities
Karen Helgers, Ulster County Community College
Students choose one of four short articles to read about mineral mining, including the impacts of mining on the Native American community in the region. Each article highlights a specific example where the ...

Unit 3.2: What geological resources do we need for our civilization? part of TIDeS:TIDeS Teaching Materials:Earth Science
Beth Dushman, Howard Community College
In this unit, students investigate the geological resources that make up common objects necessary for modern life. Students start by identifying objects they deem necessary to modern life, and determine the key ...