Resource Extraction: Hi Ho, It's to the Mine We Go
This activity simulates the extraction of limited, nonrenewable resources from a "mine," so students can experience first-hand how resource extraction becomes more difficult over time. Students gather data and graph their results to determine the peak in resource extraction. They learn about the limitations of nonrenewable resources, and how these resources are currently used.
Students mine for bean "resources."
As resources diminish or become more difficult to find, engineers must figure out how to do more with less. For example, with the price of coal on the rise, communities depend on engineers to design and build more renewable electricity generators, such as wind turbines. In all designs, engineers must consider the tradeoffs of renewable vs. nonrenewable resources. Factors such as cost, practicality of long term use, availability of resources, and pollution generated are all design considerations. Engineers also design methods to harvest resources from the Earth, including drills to reach oil and natural gas, and mining equipment to extract oil.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Explain why nonrenewable resource extraction becomes more difficult over time.
- Find the peak of a graph.
- Describe the production curve of nonrenewable resources.