Sterling Hill will hold teacher workshops

OGDENSBURG — Professional development training for teachers at the Sterling Hill Mining Museum this year is offered for all workshops listed on its Web site. As the minimum of five registrants per workshop is met, it will be scheduled. An example of one class is Minerals: An Intensive Overview, designed to hook students by featuring minerals as objects of fascination rather than simply components of rocks. Students can learn how to construct a compass from a natural mineral, see how nature created fiber-optic materials long before they were made in a laboratory, learn why diamonds are called “ice” among jewel thieves, and why some minerals are regarded as gemstones and others are not. Numerous hands-on activities are available for teachers to choose from. As a classroom presentation, this class could be adapted to almost any age group or level of experience upon prior consultation with the instructor. Classes are also open to members of the public who have interests in the various subjects. Fees associated for each class are listed online. Educators can register for as many workshops as they choose, note their availability on weekdays or weekends, and that class will then be scheduled. Review the lists at www.sterlinghill.org under “education” for onsite and offsite training, field trips, and Distance Learning LIVE. Sterling Hill is located at 30 Plant St. in Ogdensburg, which is near Sparta. To register for one or more workshops, contact Teresa, Sterling Hill Education Coordinator, at tcrerand@ptd.net or call 570-686-7611. Visit the Web site for more details.