The Briefcase Project
The Briefcase Project is an exciting new educational resource that helps students learn about minerals and mining and how they impact us on a daily basis. The Briefcase project has been bringing minerals and mining closer to students in Spain for more than 15 years, and it is now accessible across Europe through the project website and project workshops. An online game provides a meaningful learning opportunity for students, even from their own homes.
Each “Briefcase” contains actual mineral samples as well as a variety of products that contain the minerals. Students work to match the minerals with their corresponding products, while learning about the different properties of each mineral. As they progress, students are also encouraged to reflect on issues like conflict minerals, consequences of purchase decisions and sustainability of mining operations, as well as the importance of recycling and climate change.
It is imperative that citizens develop social awareness of how our consumption of goods can affect people living and working in other parts of the world where resources are exploited. Europe is no better with regard to our social conscience if we import so-called “conflict minerals” or resources that are not ethically and sustainably sourced. For students, learning about how our choices affect others is an important part of developing into responsible citizens.
To learn more about how you can use The Briefcase to help your students understand the role of minerals and mining in society and the world, go to Project website.