**Space is limited - as of May 8th <15 spots remaining!**

Register for the 2025 workshop HERE!

Calling All K-12 Educators!

The MMEW is a three-day workshop, this year based out of Hamline University Monday June 16 - Wednesday June 18, 2025! The workshop is specifically organized for K-12 teachers to learn about the geology and mineral resources of the Twin Cities!

This will be the 26th year of the MMEW connecting teachers with the state’s leading geologists and experts through a variety of short courses, field trips, and guest speakers. Through this immersive multi-day workshop, educators see and experience the state’s geology, minerals, and mining history, as well as applications of science, engineering, and history topics. Teachers are supplied with teaching materials enabling them to bring this knowledge back to their classroom, passing it along to students.

Up to 24 CEUs are available for the full program, as well as an opportunity to register for 2 graduate credits through Hamline University!

The workshop will kick off on campus at Hamline University for a variety of program activities including short courses, lectures and field trips over three days on and off campus. Expect to spend time in classrooms, lecture halls, load/unload buses, walk on uneven terrain, and spend time outdoors getting up close and personal with geology of the Twin Cities!

This Year's Highlights include:

• Geology of the Twin Cities Area

• Quarry Tour

• Construction Aggregate Resources

• Short Courses

• Guest Speakers

• Technical Topics & Experts

• Mining History in the Twin Cities

• Lesson Plans

• Networking with other educators

• Classroom resources

• CEUs and optional graduate credit add on

Registration

We have two registration options: a full program and a one-day offering:

Full Program - Early registration cost for the full program (2.5 day) is $65. The full workshop program begins Monday afternoon June 16th and ends late afternoon Wednesday June 18th. This fee covers the workshop program, the Monday evening outing, all short course and field trip costs, AM/PM refreshments and lunch. Once Early Registration ends, the price increases to $75. A certificate for CEUs will be available to each full program attendee upon completion of the feedback survey.

One Day Only - Can't make the full multi-day workshop but still want to attend? We have a One-Day Only option for $30 early registration and $35 regular. This One-Day Only offering is for workshop activities taking place on Tuesday Jun 17th. A certificate for CEUs will be available to each one day only attendee upon completion of the feedback survey.

Reserve your spot while available! There will be no on site registrations.

Tuesday Short Courses

• attendees will be contacted for their first and second choice for each session

Short Course Session 1 (8:30-9:30AM)

Class A - Holding the Earth in Your Hand - Rock & Mineral ID (Macalester)

Class B - Elwha River Model: A Story of Sediment Transport (SMM)

Class C - Unlocking the World of Minerals: A Dynamic Intro to the Mineral Education Coalition (SME-MN)

Class D - Landforms of Continental Glaciation (Kate Pound)

Class E - Aggregate Resources & Quality: A Hands-on Approach (Martin Marietta/MineraLogic)

Short Course Session 2 (10-11AM)

Class A - Holding the Earth in Your Hand - Rock & Mineral ID (Macalester)

Class B - Exploring Real-Life Geology Through Minecraft (SMM)

Class C - Unlocking the World of Minerals: A Dynamic Intro to the Mineral Education Coalition (SME-MN)

Class D - Your Rock Box in Action: A Hands-On Exploration of Minnesota's Rocks and Ores (DNR)

Field Trips

We will be transported via coach bus with onboard restroom to several field trip stops throughout the Twin Cities. We will have an evening outing Monday, a Tuesday afternoon field trip, and Wednesday all day field trip. Plan to load/unload the bus several times. At some of the field trip stops the group will simply exit the bus and listen to a guest speaker. At other field trip stops the group may walk over uneven terrain to the point of interest. Please reach out to the workshop organizer if you have questions or concerns regarding the field trip portion of the workshop program.

Graduate Credits

This year workshop attendees participating in the Full Workshop Program will have the option to register for two graduate credits from Hamline University at $200 per credit. Registration for the graduate credit add on is taken care of directly with Hamline University.

Hamline University-On-Demand Continuing Education & Professional Development

COSP 6998-2 - Minnesota Minerals Education Workshop - Hamline University Elearn

Hamline University is located in the Hamline-Midway neighborhood of St Paul, conveniently located south of the Minnesota State Fair grounds and north of the I-94 interstate.

All MMEW activities, except field trips, will take place on campus in West Hall located at 1492 Hewitt Avenue, St Paul.

Light Rail - The Hamline Avenue Station on the Metro Green Line is a 5 minute walk to West Hall on the Hamline University Campus.

Free parking is available to MMEW attendees in Parking Lot E, located adjacent to West Hall on the Hamline University Campus.

For a pdf copy of the MMEW - St. Paul: Hamline-Midway Area map, click here.

NOTE: Availability of the hotel block expires May 16th and the dorm rooms expire June 1!

A variety of nearby lodging options are available to MMEW attendees.

Wallace Hall Dorms (Macalester) - While the MMEW program will take place at Hamline University, Macalester College has generously made the Wallace Dorm available to MMEW for single, double, triple or quad dorm rooms. Roommate requests (up to 4 per room) can be added on to the workshop registration. If no roommate request is indicated, each person will be assigned based on the gender selected. The Macalester College Wallace Dorm is conveniently located at the intersection of Macalester Street and Summit Ave. Restaurants are a convenient 5 minute walk from the dorms. This non-air conditioned dorm includes shared common areas, shared kitchen, and shared bathrooms.

Country Inn & Suites - offering MMEW attendees a discounted rate of $118+tax per night, including breakfast, pool, gym, and nearby restaurants. Reserve your room HERE by May 16th. This hotel is located 4.6 miles from the Hamline-West Hall building.

Camping at Lake Elmo Park Reserve - Located just 22 minutes east of Hamline campus, Lake Elmo Park Reserve is a beautiful spot tucked into the east metro. A group camp has been reserved for MMEW as a lodging option for those excited to camp! Camping is available starting at 4PM on Sunday June 15 and checking out by 10AM on Wednesday June 18th. This camping add-on ticket price covers multiple days for camping. A vehicle park pass or annual pass must be purchased for each vehicle and is not included in this camping ticket add on. 

Additional program details will be posted as they become available. In June, each registered attendee will receive general information to prepare for workshop arrival.

Questions can be directed to the MMEW Coordinator Sara Welna (DNR) at sara.welna@state.mn.us.

The MMEW is made possible by the Minnesota Center for Mineral Resource Education (MCMRE.) MCMRE is committed to sharing good information meant to empower members of our society to participate in wise decision-making for the benefit of all, and is committed to ensuring respect, accountability, and inclusiveness in governance and facilitation of participation. MCMRE volunteers and participants do not discriminate against any person on the basis of color, creed, disability, national origin, public assistance status, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation in any MCMRE or MMEW activity. The right of admission to the MMEW can be refused to any person at the discretion of MCMRE.

The right of admission can be refused to any person at the discretion of MCMRE.