Nunavut chamber of mines releases activity book for kids

Nunavut’s chamber of mines has released a 24-page activity book to encourage the territory’s children to learn more about its industry.

The activity book was released ahead of National Mining Week, from May 11 to May 15, in the hope it will be of interest to students at home due to COVID-19 measures.

“It’s a great opportunity to learn more about the role of minerals in our lives and allows Nunavut youth to learn more about the industry and win great prizes as well,” said Terry Dobbin, general manager of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut Chamber of Mines.

The Yukon Mining Alliance came up with the idea, which was quickly embraced by the N.W.T. and Nunavut Chamber of Mines as the “logical step to support our schools, teachers, parents and educators, through online tools to help kids learn,” said Dobbin.

Even when Nunavut’s schools are operating, there is no curriculum on mining and hardly any guidance counsellors to steer older students into mining careers, Dobbin said.

“Many youth don’t think about mines and the different jobs that are available,” he said.

This activity book is a start, he said, with activities ranging from those for the youngest students to those in high school.

For younger children, there are colouring pages that show a range of careers that involve mining and other activities, such as one where children can design their own coin.

For older students, questions include the following: “How many of the 19 minerals and metals used in solar PV panels come from Canadian mines?”

You can find the Nunavut mining activity book and the answer to the question above at the Mining North Works website.

After printing out the activity book, you can complete as many activities as you want, take a photo of those pages or scan them, and email them to generalmanagernu@miningnorth.com

Prizes for completed activities include backpacks, toques and mobile phone chargers.

Dobbin said he’s aware that many students and their families may not own all the equipment to download or print the activity book, so he’s hoping teachers decide to include it in their materials for students.

An Inuktitut version of the activity book is planned, Dobbin said.