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Rockin' Around New Mexico
An Annual Geologic Workshop for K-12 Teachers

Each summer, the New Mexico Bureau of Geology conducts a 3-day geology workshop for teachers. The workshop is based at a new location each year and includes hands-on sessions along with field trips to explore local geology. Topics include mineral resources and mining, environmental geology, paleontology, seismic hazards and mitigation, and school earthquake safety. An optional one-hour graduate credit through the Master of Science for Teachers program at New Mexico Tech is available. Enrollment fee for the workshop is $40. Curriculum materials and a few meals will be provided. Travel and lodging are paid up front by participants, with possible reimbursement through a yearly grant. Mark your calendar and join us this summer (teachers only, please!)

Silver Creek
Silver Creek's fascinating sequence of upturned beds on the Sevilleta National Wildlife Preserve presented a mystery for the teachers at the 2013 Rockin' session based in Socorro. Photo courtesy of Linda Brown.

Regular sponsors for Rockin’ Around New Mexico include the New Mexico Bureau of Geology, New Mexico Tech, New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, New Mexico Mining Association, and the New Mexico Geological Society. Locations for some recent sessions are as follows:

Past Rockin' Workshops:

  • 2020: Virtual
  • 2019: Socorro
  • 2018: Truth or Consequences
  • 2017: Socorro
  • 2016: Las Vegas
  • 2015: Socorro
  • 2014: Silver City
  • 2013: Socorro
  • 2012: Jemez Springs
  • 2011: Jemez Springs
  • 2010: Socorro

Next Rockin' Workshop

Rockin’ Around New Mexico — Geology workshop for teachers (PDF flyer available)
(with an optional Masters of Science for Teachers graduate credit through the ST-540 course)
Psuedoscience in the Geosciences: Risks and Hazards, July 6–9, 2021
A 4-day (2 hours each day) geology workshop
(Register Now)

We plan to hold the 2021 workshop virtually, due to COVID-19 concerns. This year, we begin Rockin’ with a geologic overview presentation of risks and hazards involved with geologic science misconceptions and the importance of acquiring information from reputable sources. Via virtual field trips and activities, the workshop will then explore the following themes: (1) the relevance, risks, hazards and pseudoscience of climate change; (2) the problems involved with the belief that aquifers are underground rivers and an introduction to the importance of the New Mexico Aquifer Mapping Program—especially during times of drought (3) mineral identification and why it is important in regards to liquefaction (4) and common earthquake misunderstandings about the moment magnitude scale, induced seismicity, resources and safety.

Teachers will receive instruction and lessons that they can teach to their students, as well as workshop resources and supplies.

Graduate & Professional Development Credit

Although graduate credit is optional, first priority for registration will be given to students at New Mexico Tech. The course is ST-540 Rockin’ Around New Mexico. Call Megha Khandelwal at 575-835-5470 or email megha.khandelwal@nmt.edu if you would like information about the Masters of Science for Teachers Program at New Mexico Tech.

To register as professional development call Cynthia Connolly at (575) 835-5264, cynthia.connolly@nmt.edu.

Valle Grande
At the Valles Caldera Overlook, geologists present the eruptive history of the caldera in 2012. Photo courtesy of Linda Brown.