Students will assess which technologies had more impact on the environment. Students will simulate a city council meeting, discussing pros and cons of a large nearby mining project. They vote on whether to approve the project. Lesson 1 begins with students brainstorming about current advances in technologies. Student groups then mix and match primary source descriptions and visuals of various types of Gold Rush mining technologies.
Students record their findings on a graphic organizer.
The whole class then discusses possible impacts on the environment of the various technologies. Students simulate a city council meeting, discussing a large nearby mining project from various viewpoints. End of section.