A Great Joint Promotion from Underground Vaults & Storage and The Salt Museum!

More than ever, it’s heartening to know there are good corporate citizens. And we’re particularly pleased when that news involves our clients. A generous offer from Underground Vaults & Storage has made it possible for Kansas Underground Salt Museum to increase the promotional outreach for its Salt Academy. Thanks to UV&S, more school children will have the unique hands-on learning experience in a “subterranean classroom”. This joint promotion is also a bonus for the entire community as it attracts more visitors to Hutchinson.

Salt Academy
2009-2010

Underground Vaults and Storage has provided a grant opportunity to USD 259 that will pay for bus transportation to and from the Kansas Underground Salt Museum in Hutchinson for 4th grade classrooms and chaperones.

4th grade curriculum includes elements from the 4th Grade Science Assessment such as

• Geology: classifications of rocks, property identification and understanding of the geological environment underground
• General knowledge about the mining of rock salt and how it is used.
• Introduction of concepts such as the importance of airflow in the mine and how people, machinery and salt, move around the mine
• Understanding of how miners are environmentally responsible and of mine safety practices
• Includes use of higher level thinking skills throughout

Materials provided to teachers for classroom use via e-mail or website

• Pre-tour information and activities
• Graphic organizers
• Simple hands-on experiments demonstrating chemical reactions that can be conducted in their classrooms
• Opportunity to write about their experience and post online (available January 2010)
• Links to resources about salt
• Quiz

Tour: 2 1/2 hours from early arrival at KUSM until they are back on the bus.
After descending 650 underground on the hoist, students will experience a walking tour that is handicap accessible. It will include the galleries, an area that is only available to school groups where students will be able to harvest their own salt, the Underground Vaults and Storage exhibit and the gift shop if desired.

Number per tour: 36 maximum including 1 adult per 12 students. We recommend that one classroom equal one tour time. Tours will begin 30 minutes apart.
Cost: $6 per student and one adult per 12 students is required and free. Additional adults will pay the special chaperone rate of $11.00 when booked at the same time as the group. (All prices include tax)
To reserve your tour time call Tonya at 620-662-1425. Toll free: 866-755-3450
Book your Salt Academy soon and remember that April and May fill up quickly!