MFSW funds an Education Outreach Coordinator position managed through the Lowell Institute for Mineral Resources at the University of Arizona. Pamela A.K. Wilkinson has been funded in this position since March 30, 2009. The position was previously managed through the Arizona Department of Mines and Mineral Resources and the Arizona Geological Survey. She currently reports directly to Dr. Mary P. Poulton, Director of the Institute.

Pam received her B.S. in geology from the College of William and Mary where she also became a certified Earth Science teacher, and her M.S. in geology from Eastern Kentucky University. After completing her education, Pam worked as an exploration geologist for Duval Corporation and U.S. Borax and Chemical Corporation. Pam has worked as a volunteer and scientist-in-residence for grades K-6. She taught, developed lesson plans, and led field trips on a variety of geology and mining related subjects.

Her work as Education Outreach Coordinator has taken her to classrooms throughout the state. During the 2010-2011 school year, she visited 42 schools and taught 72 teachers and 7,263 students ranging from elementary to high school levels.

Pam's ability to match the message to her audience has made her presentations on mining, minerals, and earth science interesting and engaging. She speaks their language and knows what will get kids and young adults interested in science, and opens their minds through fun, hands-on activities.

Your support of this education program through the Foundation is appreciated.

In addition, the Foundation has arranged for a privately funded, scale-model diorama of a modern open-pit copper mine to be a permanent exhibit at East Valley Institute of Technology in Phoenix. The mobile mining exhibit formerly maintained by the Dept. of Mine and Mineral Resources is now housed at the Mining & Historical Museum in Bisbee.

Please see this brief video (2:36 min) for more information.

www.imr.arizona.edu