Education
April 19, 2012
Workshop Series Teaches Labrador Students about Rocks and Minerals
Students in Labrador will have an opportunity to learn more about the diversity of the rocks and minerals found in Newfoundland and Labrador through an education-oriented initiative offered by the Department of Natural Resources’ Geological Survey Division. From April 20 to 27, workshops will be held in schools on Labrador’s coast to provide students with information about the importance of mining and geology, and the benefit of using products made from minerals mined in the province.
“This educational initiative will help students learn about the properties of different rocks and minerals mined right here in the province, and will be organized in partnership with the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada’s (PDAC) Mining Matters,” said the Honourable Jerome Kennedy, Minister of Natural Resources. “These workshops will provide a greater awareness of the importance of rocks and minerals in our daily lives, and the economic and employment benefits of the mining industry particularly in Labrador.”
Workshops were developed to support established science learning outcomes for Grades 4 and 7. An activity-based resource tool kit will be provided to teachers to assist students in learning about the province’s rocks and minerals.
“These workshops promote an awareness of our natural resources and environment through hands-on experience,” said the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Education. “They also highlight for students some of the potential career options in the mining industry – careers that they can pursue in their home communities or elsewhere in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Workshops are scheduled as follows:
| Date | Community | School |
| Friday, April 20 | Sheshatshiu | Sheshatshiu Innu School |
| Monday, April 23 | Nain | Jens Haven Memorial School |
| Tuesday, April 24 | Postville | B.L. Morrison All-Grade |
| Wednesday, April 25 | Hopedale | Amos Comenius Memorial School |
| Thursday, April 26 | Makkovik | J.C. Erhardt Memorial School |
| Friday, April 27 | Rigolet | Northern Lights Academy |
Newfoundland and Labrador has a diverse minerals industry that exports a wide variety of commodities to the global market ranging from world-class iron ore and nickel to industrial stone and aggregate. Mineral shipments are forecast to exceed $5.6 billion this year with iron ore and nickel dominating most of the province’s production. Major growth is underway in the iron ore district of Western Labrador, and close to $15 billion dollars of investment is anticipated in the region over the next five to 10 years.
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Media contacts:
| Heather Maclean Director of Communications Department of Natural Resources 709-729-5282, 697-4137 heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca |
Heather May Director of Communications Department of Education 709-729-0048, 697-5061 heathermay@gov.nl.ca |
2012 04 19 10:05 a.m.