IQALUIT
The Toronto-based education program Mining Matters had its most successful year last year since inception 20 years ago, completing six workshops in Nunavut alone.

Barbara Green Parker, manager of aboriginal education and outreach programs with Mining Matters, delivers a presentation to Inuksuk High School students in Iqaluit in September. - Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo

Focused on developing youth knowledge of Canada's geology and mineral resources, the organization provides students with information on rocks, minerals, mining and career opportunities available in their communities.

Two-day courses were offered in Iqaluit, Hall Beach, Arctic Bay, Iglulik, Clyde River and Pond Inlet for participants of all ages - some as young as four, others as old as 90.

Although the programming is directed at high school students, Barbara Green Parker, Mining Matters' manager of aboriginal education and outreach programs, said everyone can take away something from the experience.

"It doesn't matter what the age group is - we can tailor our programs to make it interesting and engaging for any age group," she said.

"Once we give people sparkly rocks, they're fascinated."

Green Parker said much of the work the group does involves breaking down the myths and misconceptions surrounding mining while making the connection between raw resources and how they are used in every day life.

Depending on the group, the sessions can include more complex topics such as environmental stewardship, engineering and a tutorial on how the commodity market operates. Despite the somewhat difficult subject matter, information is delivered through hands-on activities such as baking, soapstone carving and mineral identification.

"They use the land for recreation and for hunting and we give them these skills, so it's applicable to everyday life, but also an understanding that their career could involve some of these cool experiences," she said.

Parker added that over the last few years, much of the group's focus has centered around diamonds and part of that involves a lesson in geological history and how minerals are formed.

"We want them to be curious about the story the rocks tell and this fascinating science about how the Earth is formed and how we evolved 4.6 billion years through history to where we are now - using the minerals of the earth to make our cellphone, our computers and our cars we enjoy so much," she said. "We get into the periodic table, we talk about the elements, we go right into geochemistry. It's all about the science and math."

Despite a global downturn in the mining sector, Green Parker says the program continues to be well-received with more programs offered in 2015 than ever before. She says their focus areas have been the ring of fire in Northern Ontario and Quebec, along with Nunavut and the Yukon.

She says they are interested in returning to the NWT, but were not invited by schools or offered a sponsorship by mining companies in that territory this year. If interest returns, she said the charitable organization would be excited to come back.

"We want students to understand that they can be part of the highest paid sector of the Canadian economy and contribute to an important industry," she said. "Our message is to stay in school, to get a good education and find something they are passionate about."