Raw Materials University Day at Wroclaw University of Science and Technology

This year’s Raw Materials University Day (RMUD) will take place on 25 September 2017 in Wroclaw, at Wroclaw University of Science and Technology (Faculty of Geoengineering, Mining and Geology), which is one of the largest and most dynamically developing technical universities in Poland.

The aim of this RMUD is to promote skills and employment in raw materials, especially in the exploration and processing industrial sectors. The target audience is both young people that are to choose their studies and future graduates (bachelor level) who would like to be informed about the further studies and career opportunities related to raw materials. All participants will be able to take part in numerous presentations, workshops, games and discussions, which will show the huge potential and science achievements in the field of raw materials in an attractive and understandable way. During laboratory tours, participants will take a scientist-guided trip along the trail of geology, chemistry and technology, allowing them to perform some experiments illustrating the process of extraction, slip resistance tests and modelling of mining facilities. Presentations and workshops will make it possible for participants to find the answers to questions about the diversity, reserves and  opportunities of Polish raw materials, the role and tasks of Rock Mechanics, methods of extracting minerals using various technological systems, etc.

The event programme also includes field activities. Homemade models of volcanic eruptions can be prepared using vinegar and soda. We will try to carry out a “true” hot volcanic eruption with volcanic ash and lava flow. This demonstration will be an introduction to a short story (sometimes surprising) about the raw materials that were formed in such unusual circumstances – like basalt, porphyry, sulphur… but also copper ores or diamonds! For those interested, “geocaching” (a game using GPS Tracker) will be played and a presentation of a proton magnetometer (construction, principle of operation, methodology of field measurements, demonstration of measurements in the field) will be performed. Participants will also have the opportunity to visit a rock quarry (mine extracting rock materials) in Strzegom and see the mining and processing of rock minerals occurring in Lower Silesia first-hand.

The RMUD 2017 in Wroclaw will be an excellent opportunity to meet representatives of companies co-operating with the Faculty of Geoengineering, Mining and Geology under joint research projects or internships and training.

The RMUD 2017 in Wroclaw will be connected with the Festival of Science, which since 1997 has been promoting science among thousands of young people in the Lower Silesian region. We hope this will bring an important added value to the Raw Materials University Day.