Every year teachers across the province exchange a week of their summer outside of the classroom for a chance to learn about advancements in the mining industry.
Organized by the Saskatchewan Mining Association, GeoVenture is a seven-day, cross-Saskatchewan exposure mission that allows educators to discover what the mining industry in the province is all about.
From going underground and learning about potash at Mosaic K3 near Esterhazy, how coal is extracted at Westmoreland Poplar River in the Coronach area, to the northern uranium facilities at Cameco Cigar Lake and Orano McClean Lake, it’s a whirlwind once-in-a-lifetime chance for them to learn about the industry and spread the word.
“It’s surprising how much people don’t know, and it’s surprising a lot of teachers still don’t know today,” said Pam Schwann, President of the SMA. “So if they don’t know, their students aren’t going to get that opportunity.”
Previously, the GeoVenture program was known as the Teacher’s Tour— something that has been in existence for almost 50 years.
“It was a way for teachers to see firsthand what was involved in a mining operation, as well as to see all the different geographic regions where mining happens in Saskatchewan,” Schwann explained. “This is a way to raise public awareness, but also because teachers have such an influence, it was a way to sustainably teach their kids in their classrooms more about the mineral resources of Saskatchewan.”
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