Teachers, have Yukon Dan bring his workshop to your school!

Dan follows the Prescribed Learning Outcomes curriculum that teachers focus on with their students. The workshops can take place in your classroom or outdoors, and Dan is more then happy to work with you to customize his workshop to suit your curriculum. Whether teaching about our Canadian History, Social Studies, Rocks & Minerals, the Gold Rush(es) or Earth & Science, Yukon Dan's presentation will both entertain and enlighten students of all ages.

Within the 85 minute workshop Yukon Dan highlights:

The Canadian Gold Rushes: Dan has great knowledge about the Canadian Gold Rushes, specifically The Fraser River, Bonanza Creek and Williams Creek Gold Rushes, where Billy Barker found his wealth in gold! He brings to life such such colorful characters as Skookum Jim, George Carmacks & Taggish Charlie - all who discovered gold back in 1896 - and tells how they made they mark in the gold rush. Dan also takes a look at the history of the Fraser River, Barkerville, and the Yukon Gold Rushes, and how the three are similar.

Facts about Gold: Dan's knowledge of Gold and other related mineral is almost equal to his ability to pull it out of a creek! Almost! Dan covers topics such as how gold is valued and why it is different colors, why gold floats on oil (and what to do to avoid it floating out of your pan!), how to find gold in the rivers and creeks today, and most importantly - where to start looking for the gold! On display will be gold nuggets, gold jewellery, vials containing gold flakes from different creeks and rivers, and an explanation about their size, color and mineral content.

Students will get a "hands on" experience through participating in a goldpanning workshop, where students will actually pan for gold! Dan explains the different styles of gold pans and the correct way to use them, as well as a demonstartion on the various gold panning techniques used during the days of Gold Fever!

Yukon Dan has the students divided into three groups, rotating through three work stations:

Station I) Panning for gold and then viewing the gold exhibit.

Station II) Grades 1-2 color a picture of gold miner. Grades 3-12 do a word search or memory sheet of questions relating to topics Yukon Dan discussed during his presentation.

Station III) Separate gold, garnets, silver and quartz from magnetite (blacksand) by using a magnet.

Dan also offers a brief history on his career as a gold panner - how Dan and four others won the silver medal for Canada at the World Gold Panning Championships in Coloma California, in 1998. Dan also talks about the Canadian Gold Panning Championships and what he has won as a competitor.

I can have three presentations per day with up to thirty-six students in each class. I charge $9.00 per student, $10.00 per student for those outside the greater Vancouver area.
Please talk to your fellow teachers to let them know I'll be at your school - maybe I can do a presentation for them too!

Criminal Record Check: updated October 2022