| Our prospector/facilitators deliver a lively interactive presentation dressed in period costume. We discuss getting to the gold fields, life in a mining camp, tools used for mining and the economic and physical environment of 1849. We display and discuss artifacts relating to the gold rush. We then discuss gold panning itself...how it works, why it works and explain the geologic factors of gold and other minerals as they relate to gold panning and the earth's natural erosion. |
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| After the presentation, students set out to create their lucky prospector's amulet. The amulet is carved out of native California soapstone. Each student is given a soapstone slab, carving & etching tools and twine to hang the amulet when finished. The amulets become individual works of art that the student takes home......
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| GOLD FEVER. Students are each loaned a gold pan and given a vial with a piece of gold and a small baggie to hold their larger treasures and they're off! Anything they find in the tubs is theirs to keep. We not only provide gold, we provide a variety of gems and other minerals such as garnet, amethyst, peridot, copper, pyrite and more. While many students prefer to be gold miners, there are just as many that prefer the easier method of gem mining. It all depends on the patience level of each individual student, but rest assured, there is plenty for everyone.
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