Innovation, Energy and Mines Minister Dave Chomiak announced the official launch of Manitoba Rocks!, a new website featuring a wide variety of geoscience information designed to help young Manitobans learn more about Manitoba’s minerals and petroleum industry.
“Manitoba Rocks! is a dynamic online learning tool for kids, teens and anyone interested in exploring or expanding their knowledge about Manitoba’s rich minerals history and potential,” said Chomiak. “Visitors to this fun, interactive website will learn about Manitoba’s unique, diverse geological history and the role these resources play in our daily lives and our province’s future.”
The new website features:
Kids Rock! – a children’s Fun Zone with memory and word games, puzzles, colouring and activity books, and geo-mysteries. Younger students can learn about the rock cycle, examine a geological time chart, and explore facts and legends on topics ranging from nickels and arrowheads to chunks of gold, space rocks and fossils, as well as gain knowledge of the Aboriginal perspective about Mother Earth and Turtle Island.
Teens Rock! – offers teenage students a more in-depth look at the history of mining and exploration in Manitoba. Teens can take a video-guided geo-tour around the province, visit the Legends of Rock section to learn about some of the early explorers, geologists and prospectors whose spirit of adventure helped launch exciting discoveries around Manitoba and explore Opportunity Rocks, a web section devoted to information on mining-related careers.
As part of the website launch, Manitoba students from grades four to 12 will also be invited to test their rock and mineral knowledge in the Dig It! Quiz, with a chance to win Manitoba Rocks! prizes.
Chomiak thanked the many mining and mineral organizations whose geosciences information links form an integral part of the Manitoba Rocks! website. This includes Mining Matters, a national charitable organization dedicated to bringing knowledge and awareness about Canada’s geology and mineral resources to students, educators and the general public. The minister also acknowledged Oak Hammock Marsh, the Childrens’ Museum and the Manitoba Museum for participating in the website launch, and the Canadian Geoscience Education Network for promoting Manitoba Rocks! beyond Manitoba.
Manitoba’s mining and petroleum industries are experiencing continued growth and remain two of the province’s key economic drivers. In 2012, it is estimated mining and petroleum provided jobs for more than 5,700 people, with another 18,000 people employed in spinoff businesses. The same year, the value of mineral and petroleum production totalled more than $3.13 billion. In 2012, capital expenditures on mining and petroleum development totalled an estimated $1.3 billion and the industries accounted for approximately seven per cent of provincial GDP and about 8.7 per cent of total exports.
For more information, visit Manitoba Rocks! at www.ManitobaRocks.info.
