4th Grade Gold Rush Education Programs

OUR FACILITATORS - We strive to give all students the educational benefits of learning in a fun and exciting way.  All of our professional facilitators have extensive background and knowledge in the areas they are teaching as well as a commitment to give each and every child a memorable experience. Our facilitators have all been fingerprinted through LiveScan and we'll be happy to provide you documents at your request.  We are in our 11th year of providing gold panning/gold rush history presentations in a school environment and in our 13th year of providing gold panning entertainment to the general public.  Most schools book with us year after year and many teachers would be happy to speak with you.

CALIFORNIA CURRICULUM STANDARDS - We have adapted our program to meet California's's curriculum standards for grade four. Specifically in the History - Social Sciences Content Standards Section 4.3, numbers 2,3,4 and Section 4.4, number 2.  Because of the nature of gold panning,  our program also falls within the Earth Science Curriculum standards, specifically Section 4.,b and we broadly cover what is expected in Sections 5.,a,b & c.

NEW FOR 2009-10 - We are constantly improving our program and as of last fall we changed the structure from a presentation to ALL students in an assembly format to a more informal and interactive presentation given to each individual class throughout the day.  Though this limits the number of students we can see each day, we feel a smaller group allows for more interaction and participation during the presentation period and thus a better experience for them. Larger schools will need to schedule a two-day visit at no additional cost.

SET-UP - The entire experience is best enjoyed in an outside area. We need to be within a reasonable distance to a water source and prefer an area where we can set up the panning tubs, the artifacts used in the presentation and the soapstone carving activity within or around one designated area. It helps to have tables for the soapstone carving, but it is not necessary.  We've seen kids carve their stone on the curb or on the blacktop. It doesn't seem to bother them. More specifics about set-up (such as our arrival time) will be spelled out in your confirmation.

THE PROGRAM - We take each class for approximately 1 1/2 - 2 hours at a time.  First we begin our presentation using our artifacts and plenty of audience participation.  We talk about the route to the gold fields, immigrants and women, life and law in the mining camps and who became rich and who didn't.  We talk about why the gold rush ended and the definition of a ghost town. This portion lasts approximately 1/2 hour.  We then demonstrate how to gold pan and discuss why gold panning works.  We display and discuss various metals and minerals and explain how and why gold is found in some places and not others.  We talk about placer mining vs. hard rock mining and discuss volcanic eruptions, erosion and settlement. When we've successfully brought on GOLD FEVER, we move the class to the area where they will be making their own lucky prospector's amulets out of California soapstone.  We will briefly explain the properties of soapstone and demonstrate the various ways they can shape and/or etch their soapstone slab.  The students will each be given a slab and loaned carving tools.  Students will be encouraged to be creative and perhaps carve their initials, symbols, petroglyph's or shape the slab any way they desire.  This activity usually runs about 1/2 hour, but could be less depending on the level of GOLD FEVER.

 Gold  Panning.  Each student is loaned a gold pan and given a vial with a small piece of gold as well as a small baggie to hold some of the gems they are likely to find that are too big for the vial.  They are encouraged to compare the piece of gold that they already have to what they might find in their gold pan. The tubs are salted with gold, fools gold and gems. Some will find  gold, others may not depending on interest and ability, though they will all have at least one  piece of gold and many other treasures to take home.  Students can keep all that they find in the tubs.
 

COST - The cost of the program is a flat $295.00 booking fee per school and $9.00 per student for materials.  There is a 40 student minimum.  If you are a small school and can not meet the minimum, you may want to consider partnering with another small school in your area.  If we can provide one program in the morning and one in the afternoon at a nearby school, it would satisfy our minimum. 

SUGGESTIONS FOR OFF-SETTING YOUR COSTS - We have been running this program for a long time and have seen the costs of the program paid in a variety of ways and we see no reason not to share with you what others have done. Of course, a majority get it into their budget for approval as soon they can but there are many other ways:

• Approach the PTA or Parent Club.
   
• Hold a 4th grade raffle where the winner(s) receive a gold nugget, gold coin or a gold country trip. (We can help with this.)
   
• Ask your local service clubs i.e., Rotary, Kiwanis, Soroptomist for help with the funding.
   
• Ask the parents of each student.
   
• Ask local business members.  If this is done, we would be happy to write a press release to the local media on their behalf and provide them with a frameable thank-you certificate.
  
  
  
  

  SCHEDULE - The schedule for the day will be determined based on the information you provide in the BOOKING/ORDER REQUEST FORM. 

  
  

  CONFIRMATION - When we receive your order, we will send you a confirmation with the date(s) you provided or ask you to pick another. In the confirmation we will also provide a proposed schedule and what we need from you for set-up, mainly a water source.  We will then contact you a few days prior to our visit for any last minute details.

  
  

  TERMS - Our terms are a 50% deposit within 45 days of receipt of the confirmation and invoice and the balance due on or before our scheduled date.  If your district's criteria does not match ours, we can work around it, just let us know.  Your deposit enables us to make bulk purchases for materials and supplies and pass our savings on to you.

  
  

  INCENTIVES - 5% Pre-pay Discount - Take a 5% discount if paying in full within 45 days of receipt of confirmation and invoice.

  
  

  10% Referral Discount - Refer another school, if they book with us, we'll refund you 10% of your program fee or take 10% off  next year's program fee.

  
  

  DATE/PROGRAM CHANGES - We know that one can't always be in control of everything. If a change in your schedule occurs or you would like to set-up custom components to the program, just give us a call.  We'll see what we can work out.  We've had entire classes add or drop at the last minute... we've also been asked to stick around for a parent-teacher night on the day of... and did.. and enjoyed it.

  
  

  CANCELLATION/REFUNDS - We can't imagine why you would cancel, but if you must we'll understand and we won't penalize you in any way.