As part of a larger research endeavor within northern MN, we are developing educational outreach content to engage the public and students with portions of the important geology of the region. Rocks exposed in the Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park record conditions from 2.7 billion years ago to the present, including mysteries of the early Earth, complexities of modern history, and possibilities of the future. The plan is to create content designed to follow outcrops located along pre-existing trails that runs through the park. The aim is to develop educational materials designed to communicate the scientific content related to the rocks in digestible ways so as to make it accessible to a broader audience.

Our hope is to assemble a group of Minnesota science educators who are interested in this kind of project and willing to provide insight on the development of curriculum that fits what teachers want. Ideally, teacher participation involves a 2-3 day workshop in Fall 2024 and follow-up conversations about the developed curriculum. The anticipated work time commitment for the workshop consists of one 8 hour day and one 4 hour day. The post-workshop time commitment consists of 1-2 hours for reflection/feedback on the curriculum.

If you are interested in the opportunity, please submit this completed application by July 1st, 2024. Notifications will be sent out no later than August 15th, 2024.