Learning the uses of minerals through non-conventional teaching tools with Briefcase project

The Briefcase project brings the opportunity to learn more about minerals through hands-on experience. The specific target audience will be primary schools which include from 6 to 14-year-old students and their teachers. The project is orientated for Wider Society Learning (WSL) and aims to raise students’ knowledge of mining activities and mineral applications.

The aim of the project is to raise awareness of minerals knowledge among children during their visits to the museum. A real briefcase that contains minerals and products was created in 2003 to help students recognise mineral ores and their uses in daily life.

The Briefcase project builds on all the existing successful dissemination capacity and methodology involving students promoted by the six partners. The project complements other EU Raw Materials initiatives and EU funded projects such as Minerals4EU, SusCritMat, MIN-GUIDE or RM@Shools but providing an additional behaviour approach.

The Briefcase and the school

The Briefcase offers a perfect tool to raise awareness: 

  • About the utility and indispensability of minerals and mining.
  • On the consequences of their uses and production systems (social and environmental consequences).
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Save the date for the upcoming Briefcase project event!

  • Briefcase project will host a workshop on the education briefcase with 15 primary school teachers. The afternoon session will be dedicated to BetterGeo education project supported by EIT RawMaterials.

    More details will follow soon.

  • 23-25 September 2019
  • Graz, Austria

Impact of mining in our society

The European Commission is very concerned about the provision of raw materials for the adequate supply of its industry, especially the Critical Raw Materials (CRMs), as well as the social acceptance of mining. To be aligned with Raw Materials Initiative adopted by the European Commission, Briefcase has taken into account the following points:

  • Social acceptance of mining: mining is seen as a polluting industry. Society needs reliable information about where and how we need minerals to keep today’s wealth and wellness.
  • Social and environmental consequences: there’s a lack of social awareness on how our purchase decisions affect the people living and working in countries where the resources are exploited.
  • Exploiting European resources: Europe is a huge consumer of raw materials but relies heavily on the outside for its supply. It’s necessary to open new mines and maintain those that are productive. This will contribute to the welfare of Europe and the generation of new jobs.

The Briefcase innovative popular science tool has already successfully reached over 100 schools. Would you like to collaborate with the Briefcase project? Contact Lidia Gullón, Briefcase Project Coordinator.

Learn more