Natural Resources of the Past and Present

In this ongoing course, students will explore the world for important resources while learning about their historical and future significance to our lives. Students will learn about how our natural resources powered our lives in the past and how they will shape our future. This class will focus on the importance of each resource, the value to our lives, information regarding economic importance, and some of the ways we may unexpectedly be using them. Students will be able to brainstorm about ways to use them better and interact with other students and the teacher to develop ideas about what we may see in the future. We will use Nearpod in this class, however, I will screen share so that parents do not have to create an account. Class will be a mixture of videos, slides, discussion, and questions and answers. We will also have an occasional activity to supplement some of the things we learn. Any required supplies will be listed in the classroom by Sunday the week before they are needed, if any, as this class incorporates a learner directed theme based on interest and current events. Basic materials include pen and paper and occasional household items.

We will follow the course outline below:
Week of Feb 21: Water as a Resource
Week of Feb 28: Copper Mining
Week of March 7: Quartz and Technology
Week of March 14: Forests
Week of March 21: Salt Mines
Week of March 28: Silver
Week of April 4: Lithium and the Race to the Future
Week of April 11: Kaolin in our Lives
Week of April 18: Gypsum in Industry
Week of April 25: Steel and How It Is Made
Week 11: Silicon and Its Significance
Week 12: Rare Earth Elements: A General Overview

Please refer back to the outline as the course progresses for new topics.

I look forward to seeing your student in class!