Simulating Surface Mining & Reclamation

This lesson, from the Northern Wyoming Community College District, focuses on the principles of surface mining and reclamation in coal mining using chocolate chip cookies (where the cookie represents the earth and the chocolate chips coal the students will be surface mining). Using tools provided, students diagram the 'resources' in their cookies, 'mine' resources, classify them, and reclaim the 'land'. 

The lesson, intended for students in 6th through 9th grades, should only take a single class period to complete. Upon completion of the lesson, students will have developed an understanding of the process and challenges of surface mining for coal and land reclamation. 

Lesson Contents: 

For orientation purposes, viewers should begin with the attached .pdf document, which offers a description of the lesson, as well as an overview of topics covered, and learning outcomes. 

Below is a list of the .pdf files contained within the .zip attachment. The size of each file is included in parenthesis.

Simulating_Surface_Mining_&_Reclamation.zip

• Rubric (501KB)
• Coal Mining Activity Teacher's Directions (130KB)
• Coal Mining Activity Student Directions (150KB)
• Expanded Lesson Plan (46KB)