Teachers please join us at the Cloquet Forestry Center June 15 – 17! Registration opens soon! 

The 2026 MMEW will make a deep dive into the geology and mineral resources of the Cloquet-Duluth region through lectures, short courses, and field trips, in alignment with Minnesota’s Science and Social Studies Standards. Participants can earn up to 24 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and the opportunity to obtain two graduate credits from Hamline University. 

Every June, K-12 teachers from across Minnesota participate in an engaging three-day professional development workshop aimed at enhancing their knowledge of geology and the state’s natural resources. The MMEW offers unique opportunities for teachers to learn about how geologic phenomena, such as mountains, volcanoes, continental rifts, shallow seas, and glaciers, have shaped the land that is now Minnesota, characterized by rocky bluffs, deep lakes, and rolling hills. During the workshop, teachers engage in hands-on classroom experiences and guided field trips with MMEW instructors to understand Minnesota’s diverse landscape and its wealth of mineral resources.

Since 1997, MMEW has connected teachers with the state’s leading geologists and experts through various short courses, field trips, and guest speakers. This immersive workshop helps educators grow their understanding of the formation and development of Minnesota’s rocks, minerals, and soils with applications of science, engineering, and history to enhance the curriculum for their students. Teachers attend MMEW to learn about the state’s earth materials and mineral resources—including iron, sand and gravel, dimension stone, silica sand, crushed stone, and peat—and how these resources are used in our daily lives.

Watch the DNR-produced video to experience the workshop’s impact on science educators as they make lasting connections between their students and natural resources.

MMEW Video