NPS photo
Introduction
The National Park Service wants people to know that mining and abandoned mineral lands are often part of the park scene. Mining interpretive displays and presentations are part of the program at several parks. In other parks, special regional events such as discoveries and local gold rushes are commemorated. Visitor centers often have books on mining history and folklore.
Educators have recognized that parks make excellent classrooms. Mining-related topics are used to enhance school curricula in history, geography, science, and art. Some national parks and state agencies offer school outreach programs, including abandoned mineral lands safety information for children.
Lessons from America's Largest Classrooms
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- Prince William Forest Park
Hike to the Cabin Branch Pyrite Mine
- Type: Field Trips
- Locations: Prince William Forest Park
- Grade Levels: Middle School: Sixth Grade through Eighth Grade
- Subject(s): Science,Social Studies
Learn the history of the park's iron pyrite mine on this moderate, two mile hike that lasts around two hours. Rangers will hike with students to the old mine site, and give students the opportunity to learn about the park's mine reclamation efforts, stroll along a boardwalk, and see several existing foundations and capped off mine shafts.
- Death Valley National Park
Mining Unit: Death Valley Characters
- Type: Lesson Plan
- Locations: Death Valley National Park
- Grade Levels: Upper Elementary: Third Grade through Fifth Grade
- Subject(s): Literacy and Language Arts,Social Studies
This lesson is part of a cross-curricular mining unit focused on the impacts of miners on the Death Valley community and environment. This is lesson provides students an opportunity to explore the individuals who moved to the Death Valley area for mining. Students will read an online article and role play characters representing different jobs in the mining camps.
- Death Valley National Park
Mining Unit: It's Mining Time
- Type: Lesson Plan
- Locations: Death Valley National Park
- Grade Levels: Upper Elementary: Third Grade through Fifth Grade
- Subject(s): Math,Social Studies
This lesson is part of a cross-curricular mining unit focused on the impacts of miners on the Death Valley community and environment. This is the third lesson in the unit which provides students opportunities to explore the true meaning of a boom and bust mining operation. Students will practice basic math operations while examining a Death Valley mining timeline.
- Grand Canyon National Park
Current Events – Uranium Mining
- Type: Lesson Plan
- Locations: Grand Canyon National Park
- Grade Levels: Middle School: Sixth Grade through Eighth Grade
- Subject(s): Literacy and Language Arts,Science,Social Studies
How do we work together to find sustainable solutions to everyday problems? Uranium mining near the Grand Canyon is a controversial subject. This lesson takes shape in the form of a townhall style debate.
- Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park
Taming the River
- Type: Lesson Plan
- Locations: Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit National Historical Park
- Grade Levels: Middle School: Sixth Grade through Eighth Grade
- Subject(s): Math,Science
"Taming a River" looks at the possible effects which occur during most mining operations that took place during the historic gold rushes in North America. The lesson plan can also be modified to see what could happen in areas underlain with permafrost.
- Death Valley National Park
Mining Unit: Discovering a Stamp Mill
- Type: Lesson Plan
- Locations: Death Valley National Park
- Grade Levels: Upper Elementary: Third Grade through Fifth Grade
- Subject(s): Literacy and Language Arts,Social Studies
This lesson is part of a cross-curricular mining unit focused on the impacts of miners on the Death Valley community and environment. This is the introductory lesson which provides students journal writing opportunities to explore their meaning of discovery. Students will watch a short online video on mining in Death Valley and actively sequence the steps of a typical stamp mill.
Photos and Multimedia
Mining History and Geology Books
Many national park areas feature mining heritage sites that are well described in books that you may find in your local library, park visitor center, university book store, or online.
Ordering from your National Park Cooperative Association's bookstore helps to support programs in the parks. Please visit the bookstore locators below or park websites for park books and much more.
- Eastern National—eParks Online Store
- Western National—Park Stores
Related Links
Last updated: October 28, 2022