TOURS
We offer guided educational tours that bring geology to life through direct observation and expert interpretation of landscapes, minerals, and natural systems.
American Nuclear Energy Tour in New Mexico
​The program invites participants to explore the story of American Nuclear Science, from its early discoveries to its evolving role in the clean-energy transition, through guided visits to uranium mines, testing areas, ecological sites, museums, and other historical and cultural landmarks that highlight New Mexico’s central role in the Manhattan Project and its continuing contributions to energy innovation.
Itinerary
Day 1
Day 1 – Grants, NM | The Origins of Uranium Mining in New Mexico
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Uranium discoveries in the Southwest and their role in early U.S. nuclear development
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Underground uranium mine visit (extraction methods, radiation safety, labor history)
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Geologic field stop examining uranium-bearing stratigraphy and roll-front deposits​
Day 2
Albuquerque | Science, Secrecy, and Wartime Mobilization
Day 3
Los Alamos, NM & Santa Fe | Inside the Secret City
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National Museum of Nuclear Science & History: nuclear physics, weapons development, Cold War science
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Scientific foundations of the Manhattan Project and its legacy
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Santa Fe’s role in recruiting and administering a classified wartime mission​
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Manhattan Project Historic District including Main Gate, Fuller Lodge and Oppenheimer house, Ashley’s Pond
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Visit to the Bradbury Science Museum, highlighting Los Alamos National Laboratory history and innovation
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Scientific leadership, ethical challenges, and wartime pressure
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Lasting global consequences of nuclear science​
Learning Outcomes
Participants will:
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Engage in place-based learning at Manhattan Project historic sites
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Develop an integrated understanding of the full nuclear fuel cycle and its historical role during World War II, from geologic origins and resource extraction to scientific innovation, deployment, and long-term societal consequences
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Critically evaluate the role of nuclear energy in contemporary clean-energy systems and climate mitigation strategies
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Participate in informed discussions with nuclear scientists and geologists.
