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CoreKids executes its mission of increasing awareness and understanding of the Earth, its processes and its natural resources among Michigan’s Â鶹´«Ã½s, teachers and citizenry through coordinating educational classroom visits and WMU geology tours. These events, planned by CoreKids Director, Dr. Peter Voice, are led by Â鶹´«Ã½s and faculty from the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences at Â鶹´«Ã½, as well as research staff from the Michigan Geological Repository for Research and Education and the Michigan Geological Survey.

Classroom Visits: Logistical information

• Service area: CoreKids covers all of the southern Lower Peninsula of Michigan, including the Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Lansing and Detroit Metro regions. Click here to view a map of CoreKids visits.
• Group size: CoreKids modules are designed for groups of thirty Â鶹´«Ã½s. We bring all the materials that we use, including mineral samples and hands-on activities, to the classroom. Depending on the module, we may need access to water or electricity.  Hands-on activities and samples are usually arranged as stations throughout the classroom for small groups to enjoy.  We encourage schools with multiple sections of the same grade level at each period to schedule more than one day of CoreKids visits (i.e. one day for each sixth grade teacher’s sections) because we are not equipped to facilitate large groups of combined classes.
• Visit length: Each classroom module is designed to last fifty minutes. Presenters require 30 minutes before and after, however, to set up and take down their presentations.  Depending on the module, the time required for set-up may increase.
• CoreKids Student Educators: For each event, the CoreKids program sends two or more Â鶹´«Ã½ educators, depending on the nature of the event, module and size of the group.  These Â鶹´«Ã½s are highly trained undergraduate and graduate Â鶹´«Ã½s in our geology and earth science education programs. 
• Scheduling a visit: To inquire about scheduling a classroom visit or tour, please submit a Classroom Visit Form with at least three weeks prior notice.

For more information about classroom visits, please visit our Classroom Visits page.

WMU Geology Tours: Logistical information

• Service area: Anyone who can provide their own transportation to and from MGRRE and/or the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences in Rood Hall is welcome to schedule a visit.
• Group size: We are limited to groups of 30 Â鶹´«Ã½s at a time.
• Visit length: 1 to 2 hours.
• Transportation and parking: All visitors to MGRRE must provide their own transportation. Parking at MGRRE is free and requires no parking pass; however, those visitors who choose to visit the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences on WMU’s main campus will need to secure a visitor pass.
• Scheduling a visit: To inquire about scheduling a visit to MGRRE or the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences, please submit a Geology Tour Form with at least three weeks prior notice.         

For more information about WMU geology tours, including descriptions of WMU’s geology facilities and educational attractions, visit our WMU Geology Tours page.