Critical Minerals Showcase at HMNS Energy Science Week

On October 10, the Geophysical Society of Houston (GSH) Outreach Team, led by volunteers René Mott, David Tett, and Mustafa Al-Waily, spearheaded a hands-on STEM initiative connecting everyday technology to subsurface exploration as part of Energy Science Week at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.

Volunteers Mustafa Al-Waily, Rene’ Mott, and David Tett

The team showed students of all ages how many critical minerals are packed into a standard cellphone—15 critical minerals in total! This reliance on critical minerals extends across modern technology, including PCs, Nintendo Switch controllers, electric vehicles (EVs), wind turbines, satellites, life-saving hospital equipment, and much more.

Using 2025 global production data, students were surprised to learn how much of these essential resources comes from overseas supply chains.

Students discovered how geophysicists help companies identify hidden resources before investing millions of dollars in exploration and excavation. The Outreach team introduced them to key exploration methods, including electromagnetic (EM) surveys, satellite-based techniques, ground-penetrating radar (GPR), seismic surveys, and magnetotellurics.

Putting theory into practice! The students took on a hands-on challenge featuring 16 rocks hidden underground. Using a smartphone magnetometer app, they searched for rock samples with ferromagnetic properties to identify subsurface anomalies and mapped areas of exploration.This engaging activity introduced students to the real-world lifecycle of a mineral exploration project: locating an anomaly, drilling and evaluating core samples, assessing economic viability, and progressing through manufacturing and trade. Ultimately, these resources become part of the technologies we rely on every day—including the cellphones in our pockets!

Through interactive learning and real-world applications, the GSH Outreach Team helps inspire the next generation to explore the fascinating world of geophysics and subsurface science. To learn more about GSH Outreach contact Outreach@gshtx.org.