NCSU Industrial Extension ServiceNCSU Minerals Research Lab Education Outreach
The Minerals Research Laboratory educational outreach program relates the laboratory's purpose and activities to the general public.
Outreach Services
The MRL has a long history of educational outreach services and programs. For many years, the Laboratory ran a program called "Down to Earth" which sent a minerals expert into classrooms across the state. Now, the Laboratory concentrates on these outreach activities:
- Rock Kits (see below)
- MRL Tours for local schools
- Maps of North Carolina mineral localities
- Mineral and rock facts
Rock Kits
One of the most popular services provided by the MRL is assembling rock kits for use in geology and other classes. Each kit contains rock samples that represent the different geological regions of North Carolina. To order a rock kit, use this form.
ENVR 373 -- Separation Science and Technology
Dr. Robert Mensah-Biney teaches a course in mineral separation technology offered by UNC-Asheville.
For more information about the course, contact UNC-Asheville.
Publications
Since its inception, the MRL has published a variety of research papers on mineral resources and their exploitation. A list of public reports is available on the reports page of this web site.
In addition, the library at MRL contains one of the best reference sources for mineral processing information in the southeastern United States. Some of the books, magazines, journals, seminar publications, industry news bulletins, and government documents may be made available for use by special arrangement.