Economics and Business Professor Jim Horan is igniting a balloon filled with hydrogen to demonstrate the differences in the properties of hydrogen and helium. (Photo Credit: Trevor Hall)

Geology graduate student Mandi Hutchinson discusses the use of critical metals and rare earths in current technologies and energies. (Photo Credit: Trevor Hall)

GOLDEN, Colo., July 10, 2015 – On July 8, 160 sixth grade students from the Denver School of Science and Technology (DSST) spent the morning at Colorado School of Mines, participating in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) activities and touring labs and classrooms.

Students attended presentations by the Critical Materials Institute (CMI), Colorado Fuel Cell Center, Advanced Water Technology Center (AQWATEC) and the Geology Museum.

Geology graduate student Mandi Hutchinson led the CMI session and highlighted the use of critical metals and rare earths in current technologies and energies.

“I saw a room full of students, coming into the DSST program from a variety of backgrounds, with an excitement to learn,” Hutchinson said. “I shared knowledge I have gained to engage students through activity and conversation about critical materials in their daily lives, to learn how they think critical materials are or could be sourced and developed, and also to inspire them to develop new methods and new technologies for the future.”

Danielle Ladd, Research Experiences for Undergraduates (National Science Foundation) programs teacher researcher and Early College of Arvada chemistry and physics teacher, discussed chemical reactions and fuel cell technologies. AQWATEC presenters from Mines included Economics and Business Professor Rod Eggert and Chemical & Biological Engineering Professor Jim Horan.

Contact:
Kathleen Morton, Communications Coordinator / 303-273-3088 / KMorton@mines.edu
Karen Gilbert, Director of Public Relations / 303-273-3541 / KGilbert@mines.edu