Day 12 of the Great Lakes Odyssey: Live from the Ahmeek Stamp Mill!

What a day we had at the historic Ahmeek Stamp Mill in Tamarack City! This incredible place is one of the last standing stamp mills, and we’re thrilled to share the rich science and history of Keweenaw National Historical Park.

We kicked off our Livestream by introducing today’s Engineering Design Challenge: Managing Stamp Sand, exploring both historical and environmental perspectives. Our guides for the day, Ranger Karl and Dr. Erin, brought the story to life in such an engaging way!

Ranger Karl shared his personal connection to the park, tracing his family's roots back to the mines. His passion for telling these stories made the history of copper mining truly come alive. He explained the significance of the Keweenaw Peninsula in U.S. history, highlighting how copper mined here played a crucial role during the Civil War and in the nation’s electrification in the 1880s. Karl also discussed the unique geology of the area, explaining how it contains the largest supply of native metallic copper in the world—ready to be used straight from the ground without smelting!

Dr. Erin helped us understand the cultural heritage of the region, discussing the local tribes who were the first miners of this native copper. She emphasized the importance of acknowledging their role in the land’s history and shared stories of the people who worked in the industrial mines and the towns that grew around them, painting a vivid picture of the diverse communities that contributed to the copper mining legacy. Dr. Erin also made some fantastic connections between the different types of rocks found in all of our parks, setting the stage perfectly for today’s lesson.

We then delved into the issue of stamp sand—the waste left behind from copper mining. Millions of tons were dumped into Torch Lake, Portage Lake, and Lake Superior. With Dr. Erin's help, we explored how this waste has impacted ecosystems like Buffalo Reef, a critical spawning area for fish such as Lake Whitefish and Lake Trout. This led to our Engineering Design Challenge, where students considered strategies for managing stamp sand, from mechanical excavation to containment, weighing both environmental and historical factors.

Ranger Karl and Dr. Erin also guided a hands-on geology lesson, explaining how the unique geology of the Keweenaw influenced mining techniques. A highlight of the day was when Ranger Karl demonstrated his rift volcano model, and with the help of our Great Lakes Hero, Charlotte, they created a spectacular eruption that captivated our audience!

We had the chance to watch an exciting Rock Candy demonstration and, to top it all off, enjoyed some delicious rock candy we purchased on South Bass Island at Perry's Victory. 🍬 What a sweet ending to an educational day!

We received some fantastic questions from our students today! A huge thank-you to our host moderators, LeAnn and Karisa, for keeping the conversation lively, and to our behind-the-scenes technology crew, Steve and Dave, for making it all possible. Together, we’re elevating the stories of the Keweenaw Peninsula and inspiring the next generation to tackle environmental challenges. 🌲🔬
​#GreatLakesOdyssey #KeweenawNHP #CopperCountry #EnvironmentalStewardship