skip all navigation
skip banner links
skip primary navigation

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:

  • 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)
Virtual Volcanoes & Seismicity Geology Workshop , July 6–10, 2020
A 5-day (2 hours each day) geology workshop
(Register Now)

Rockin’ is for NM K–12 teachers interested in increasing their knowledge of geoscience and geologic hazards. This pre-recorded and live Zoom workshop will “virtually” take educators to volcanoes around New Mexico. Participants will tour the Carrizozo Volcanic Fields, the Valles Caldera, and other volcanoes in New Mexico. Teachers will also learn about the connection between volcanoes, ore formation, faulting, and seismicity—and the importance of preparing yourself and your classroom for earthquakes.

Resource materials and supplies included!

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. Professional development $40.00 supply fee is reimbursable for NM K–12 teachers.

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