A two-hour prospector-led experience combining California Gold Rush stories, running-water gold panning, rock and gem sorting, and a small bag of discoveries to take home.
Custom proposal · Availability reviewed · No payment to inquire
Learning connectionsCalifornia history · Geology · Rock and mineral discovery
Visit formatTwo-hour, prospector-led experience
For your studentsAges, groups, and participation reviewed with your school
History & hands-on geology
Gold Rush stories. Hands-on discoveries.
2 hours · Complete program
A Gold Prospector Instructor connects the story of California’s Gold Rush with panning, observation, and rock-and-gem discovery.
1
Gold Rush Story
An interactive presentation introduces the California Gold Rush, including a historical story about a child living during the 1850s. Students explore the era through a child’s perspective.
2
Running-Water Panning
Students try gold panning in a trough with running water, looking through the materials in their pans to uncover fool’s gold and gems.
3
Rock & Gem Discovery
At the discovery table, students sort rocks and gems and learn the basics of how igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks form.
A small bag of discoveries to take home.
Each student keeps a small bag of fool’s gold and gems they discovered themselves during the activity—a reminder of their Gold Rush and geology experience.
The experience
Bring the Gold Rush to life.
California Gold Panning brings history and geology into one hands-on school experience. A Gold Prospector Instructor introduces the California Gold Rush through an interactive presentation and a historical story about a child living during the 1850s. Students then try panning in a running-water trough and investigate rocks and gems at the discovery table.
What students will do and explore
Explore California Gold Rush history through an interactive presentation.
Hear a historical story about a child who lived during the 1850s.
Try gold-panning techniques in a trough with running water.
Sort rocks and gems and explore the basics of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rock formation.
Examine and collect the fool’s gold and gems found during the activity.
What we bring
A visit with a purpose.
A Gold Prospector Instructor for the two-hour experience
A running-water gold-panning trough and panning materials
Rock, gem, and mineral sorting materials
A small take-home bag of each student’s own fool’s gold and gem discoveries
Your proposal confirms the selected program, materials, and visit details.
Explore the experience
From Gold Rush stories to discoveries in their hands.
See the running-water setup, a panning demonstration, and students exploring the rock-and-gem table. We plan the school-day experience around your student groups and campus space.
A running-water panning trough and rock-and-gem discovery table.Learn panning techniques with a Gold Prospector Instructor.Sort, compare, and discover the details in rocks and gems.
A good fit for your school
Plan for your students.
Tell us your students’ ages or grades, student count, and class groups. We’ll plan participation and the activity schedule around your school’s space and available window.
Arrival and setup, the overall visit, and each group’s participation are planned separately. Your proposal confirms the schedule.
The standard experience is two hours. Your proposal confirms the student schedule, staffing, travel, water needs, campus access, and setup details.
A quote built around your visit.
Your proposal reflects the selected experience, school location, student groups, schedule, staffing, travel, and setup.
Send the details you have. We’ll review availability and prepare a proposal before you book.
Select the program option below to add it to My Activities. Our team will review your school details and confirm availability and pricing.
One selection represents the requested program. Your student count and class schedule are planned separately.
Use the selection icon to add a program, then open My Activities to send your request. No payment is collected here.
Questions about your visit?
How long is California Gold Panning?
The standard hands-on experience is two hours with a Gold Prospector Instructor. Your proposal confirms the student schedule, participation plan, and setup arrangements for your school.
What do students take home?
Each student receives a small bag of the fool’s gold and gems they discovered during the activity.
Does the program include geology as well as history?
Yes. Alongside the California Gold Rush presentation and panning, students explore rock-and-gem sorting and the basics of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rock formation.
How much does a school visit cost?
Every proposal is reviewed for the activity, school location, student count, timing, staffing, travel, and setup. Share your plans so we can prepare an accurate quote.
Can several classes participate?
Tell us the total number of students, their grades, and your available activity window. We’ll review suitable group sizes and rotations for the program you select.
Does submitting a request reserve our date?
A request starts the planning conversation. Your team will receive a reviewed proposal, with availability and reservation requirements confirmed before booking.
What does the school need to provide?
Requirements vary by activity. We review the space, campus access, surfaces, power, water, and any other needs relevant to your selected program.
Are all programs appropriate for every age?
Age suitability depends on the program and format. Share your students’ ages or grades so we can recommend an appropriate experience and presentation.
Keep exploring the next discovery.
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