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The Next Generation of
Oil and Gas Professionals: Futures in Energy 2007
Concerns have been raised over the past
several years where the next crop of Oil and Gas
Professionals will come from. PTTC is actively involved in
answering the question with the Futures in Energy Program
for high school teachers and students. With the help of 29
sponsors, PTTC's Rocky Mountain Region oil and gas industry
outreach program continued successfully in 2007. A total of
15 high school students and 23 teachers were given an
interactive training program focusing on oil and gas
exploration technology—some at the Colorado School of Mines
between June 18-22 and others in Pinedale, Wyoming between
June 11-15. Participants were supplied with free room and
board and instructional material. The courses for both the
students and teachers included class room training, talks by
local industry people on careers in the energy field, field
visits to see actual oilfield operations and instruction at
sites of geologic interest. After the course, nine students
participated in a four week paid internship program with
local energy companies in their community.
High school teachers received two semester
hours of graduate-level re-licensing through the program and
at the end of the training course were given a kit of
instructional material so they could teach a six week module
on oil and gas technology. This module addresses various
aspects of petroleum exploration, integrating geography,
mathematics and problem-solving skills with traditional
geologic concepts. It is hoped that through the use of real
data from the energy industry and federal agencies,
including seismic profiles, electric logs, maps, and oil
samples, that earth science and the study of natural
resources will become relevant to students. |
Dr. Mary Carr, Director of PTTC Rockies,
instructing at the Field Trip to Dinosaur Ridge
Animated Instruction on the Field Trip to
the Duke Energy Natural Gas Processing Plant |
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On the lighter side,
everyone enjoyed the "Gushers and Dusters" simulation game
in which players get to act out the risk and excitement
enjoyed by members of the energy community. Overall, the
program received great grades from all participants. |
NOTE: High school
students and teachers interested in joining next year's
program, or companies interested in sponsoring through
internships or money donations are encouraged to contact
Mary Carr,
mcarr@mines.edu, 303.273.3107. |
Rocky
Mountain
Region