Moapa Valley Progress Newspaper

Forecast Radar Cameras

Bowler 4th Graders Learn About Mining In Nevada

	By Tasha Gorman Moapa Valley Progress Published February 3, 2010 Fourth grade students from Grant Bowler Elementary piled on buses last week and visited McCaw School of Mines in Henderson. The 4,500 square foot facility opened in 1997 on the campus of the Gordon McCaw Elementary School. It features a simulated mine which students can tour and learn about the history of mining, a visitor center, a hands-on gold and silver panning exhibit and a caboose that contains fossils and stones. In the simulated mine, students had fun trying on miners' hats and learning about the history of mining, current mining technology and the equipment associated with it.	Bowler 4th grade students pan for gold and silver during a field trip to McCaw School of Mines in Henderson.

	Students also learned about Nevada's rich history in the gold and silver mining industry. Many students were surprised to learn that Nevada is currently the fourth largest producer of gold in the world. The highlight of the field trip was panning for gold and silver. The children lined up under the gold panning tent and got to work, after a brief lesson from a McCaw School of Mines volunteer. Autumn Causey, a student in Mrs. DeLaFrance's class, enjoyed the trip to McCaw School of Mines. "My favorite part was panning for gold and getting to keep the gold and silver you find," Causey said. The field trip to McCaw School of Mines is geared to enhance the 4th grade Nevada state history curriculum. Each class from Bowler went on separate days last week in order to keep the groups small. TELL US WHAT YOU THINK! Comment on this story. Send a letter to the editor by email, click here: *EMAIL US*

Bowler 4th Graders Learn About Mining In Nevada