Minnesota Minerals Education Workshop - 2026 Cloquet-Duluth | University of Minnesota Cloquet Forestry Center
Cultural Experiences
The MMEW is a three-day workshop specifically organized for active K-12 teachers to receive a hands-on learning experience!
Calling All K-12 Educators!
The
MMEW
is a three-day workshop, this year based out of the Cloquet Forestry Center Monday June 15 - Wednesday June 17! The workshop is specifically for K-12 teachers to experience three days of engaging indoor and outdoor learning, and locally relevant phenomena with cross cutting concepts in science, engineering, and history!
Spots are limited - due to group size limitations, priority is given to active K-12 teachers.
This will be the 27th year of connecting teachers with the state’s leading geologists and experts through a variety of short courses, field trips, and guest speakers. Through this immersive multi-day workshop, educators see and experience Cloquet-Duluth geology, minerals, and mining history. Teachers are supplied with teaching materials, lesson plans, and classroom-ready resources.
Up to 24 CEUs are available for the full program, and the opportunity to register for 2 graduate credits offered again this year through Hamline University!
The Cloquet Forestry Center includes meeting space, dorm-style lodging, and outdoor areas—an ideal setting to mark 27 years of hands-on learning about the geology and mineral resources of Cloquet and Duluth. Founded in 1909, the CFC is the University of Minnesota’s primary research and education forest, located three miles west of Cloquet within the Fond du Lac Reservation of Lake Superior Chippewa.
Workshop check-in, lectures, and breakout sessions will take place in the main CFC building, with meals in the dining room and common area. Outdoor spaces will be used as weather permits. Plenty of free parking is available.
Field trips will take place throughout the region, including Duluth, with access to sites of geologic and natural resource interest. Motor coaches will provide transportation for all field trips, with loading and unloading starting and ending outside the main CFC building.
Expect to spend time in classrooms, lecture halls, load/unload buses, walk on uneven terrain, and time outdoors immersed in the geology of the Cloquet-Duluth region!
Maybe you've heard teachers talk about the benefits of MMEW!
Lesson Plans
Networking with other educators
Classroom resources
A deep dive learning about local geology and the surrounding landscape
Cross cutting concepts of science, engineering and history topics
CEUs and optional graduate credit add on
Registration
We have two registration options: a full program and a one-day offering. Priority is given to K-12 teachers actively teaching.
Full Program
- Early registration cost for the full program (2.5 days) is $65. The full workshop program begins Monday afternoon June 15th and ends late afternoon Wednesday June 17th. This fee covers the workshop program, the Monday evening program, all short course and field trip costs, Monday dinner, AM/PM refreshments and lunch. Once Early Registration ends, the price increases to $75. A certificate for CEUs will be available to each full program attendee upon completion of the feedback survey.
One Day Only
- Can't make the full multi-day workshop but still want to attend? We have a One-Day Only option for $30 early registration and $35 regular. This One-Day Only offering is for workshop activities taking place on Tuesday Jun 16th. A certificate for CEUs will be available to each one day only attendee upon completion of the feedback survey.
Reserve your spot while available! There will be no on site registrations.
Short Courses
A variety of short courses will be offered Tuesday morning June 16th. Attendees will have their choice from a variety of topics. Short course choices will be selected in June prior to the workshop.
Field Trips
We will be transported via coach bus with onboard restroom to several field trip stops throughout the Cloquet-Duluth region. Field trips will take place Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday all day. Plan to load/unload the bus several times. At some of the field trip stops the group will simply exit the bus and listen to a guest speaker. At other field trip stops the group may walk over uneven terrain to the point of interest.
Please reach out to the workshop organizer if you have questions or concerns regarding the field trip portion of the workshop program.
Graduate Credits
Two graduate credits through Hamline University are again available as an add-on to workshop registration. To earn the credits, participants must complete the full three-day workshop and submit two assignments: a reflection paragraph and a lesson plan based on an MMEW 2026 topic. Registration details will be available soon at a cost of $200 per credit.
Getting to the Cloquet Forestry Center & Parking
The Cloquet Forestry Center is conveniently located approximately 25 minutes from Duluth and approximately 2 hours from the Twin Cities, just seven miles west of the I-35 interstate.
All MMEW activities, except field trips, will take place at the Cloquet Forestry Center located at 175 University Road, Cloquet.
Free parking
is available to MMEW attendees in the main visitor parking lot, located near the main Cloquet Forestry Center building.
Lodging
A variety of nearby lodging options are available to MMEW attendees.
Cloquet Forestry Center Dorms
- Dorm-style lodging is available on site at the Forestry Center, adjacent to the meeting facility. All dorms are double occupancy rooms containing one twin bed, one bunk-bed (lower bunk only counted for use) and shared bathroom. Access to a common area kitchen is available. The MMEW rate is a total of $70/per person for the two-night stay, available as an add-on with MMEW registration. Roommate requests can be sent to MMEW Coordinator Sara Welna. If none are specified, roommate assignments will be made based on gender indicated with registration.
Jay Cooke State Park Group Camp
- The group camp at Jay Cooke State Park has been reserved for MMEW for an extended timeframe, Sunday June 14 through Thursday June 18th. Stay for the full time or a portion thereof. The group camp is a tent-only, cart-in site, with parking, vault toilet, and water spigot located a short walk from the camp site. Flush toilets/showers are available in the nearby campground. The MMEW rate is a total of $35 per person. Group camp tickets limited to 10 first come first serve as an add-on with MMEW registration.
AmericInn Cloquet (book directly via the hotel)
- The AmericInn Cloquet is located 8 minutes from the Cloquet Forestry Center. A block of hotel rooms has been reserved for MMEW at the AmericInn Cloquet at a rate of $106/night for two queen beds or $96/night for a single queen bed. Call the AmericInn directly at 218-451-3993 and ask for the MMEW rate to book on your own June 15 – 17th . The hotel includes free parking, continental breakfast, pool, and wifi.
The Inn on Lake Superior (book directly via the hotel)
- The Inn on Lake Superior in Canal Park, Duluth, is 30 minutes from the Cloquet Forestry Center. A block of hotel rooms has been reserved for MMEW at a rate of $201/night for a double queen room. Book online or call The Inn on Lake Superior Directly at 218-726-1111 and ask for the MMEW rate to book on your own June 15 – 17th . The hotel includes free parking, pool, continental breakfast and a few other amenities as noted on their website.
Book online
Other Workshop Details
As program details are determined, additional information will be posted to the website. In June, each registered attendee will be emailed their confirmed entry ticket and general information to prepare for workshop arrival.
Questions can be directed to Sara Welna (DNR) at sara.welna@state.mn.us.
The MMEW is made possible by the Minnesota Center for Mineral Resource Education (MCMRE.) MCMRE is committed to sharing good information meant to empower members of our society to participate in wise decision-making for the benefit of all, and is committed to ensuring respect, accountability, and inclusiveness in governance and facilitation of participation. MCMRE volunteers and participants do not discriminate against any person on the basis of color, creed, disability, national origin, public assistance status, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation in any MCMRE or MMEW activity.
The right of admission can be refused to any person at the discretion of MCMRE.
Information Source: Minnesota Center for Mineral Resource Education | eventbrite
