Geodude Corner

Patrick McAndless, aka Geodude, is a veteran industry geologist and valued MineralsEd "Rock Star". In his retirement, Mr. McAndless has devoted his energy and attention to the education of youth, from post-secondary to elementary, sharing his passion for Earth Science and mining and inspiring young people to be the best they can be. 

Mr. McAndless is a knowledgeable and engaging speaker who has a growing repertoire for classroom presentations. The workshop can be adapted into a 60- or 90-minute period depending on the class schedule. Mr. McAndless no longer offers classroom visits due to his busy schedule, however, he does currently offer two of his presentations Rocks to Rockets and It's About Time narrated and ready to present to your classroom.

  • Rocks to Rockets: developed for grade 4-7 classes doing units on mining or Earth Science. It provides a snapshot of Earth's history, a review of the rock cycle, a fabulous tie to mining via an introduction to the (funky and sought after) elements that are commonly the target of mining and key ingredients in the things that make our world go around.
  • It's About Time: explores the concept of time as it applies to our Earth and the application and techniques to measure it. The presentation takes the class back in time to the beginnings of life on Earth and how it evolved from single-celled organisms to present-day plants and animals. They will see examples of human evolution and some of the important civilizations that contributed to our modern era. From the early beginnings of man some six million years ago in Africa, the presentation will bring the rich culture and artifacts from the Mesopotamian to Inca civilizations.

Curriculum Subjects: Science, Social Studies

Grade Levels: 4-7

Workshop Length: 60-90 minutes (adapted to class schedules)

Cost: FREE

AV Requirements: computer, sound speakers, projector