The Iron Range Miners' Expo is underway at Minnesota Discovery Center (MDC) in Chisholm. As part of the expo, 11th grade students from across northeastern Minnesota are participating in a career exploration event that will expose them to the possibility of mining as a career path. 

Students are participating in the following educational activities: 

• visiting with mining equipment exhibitors and employers who are displaying new technologies, service and equipment
• learning about local vocational and technical training programs 
• meeting with representatives about college programs and career paths
• participating in a free career assessment provided by the Northeast Minnesota Office of Job Training 
• meeting with mining company and supplier representatives
• trying their hand at operating various pieces of mining equipment using college simulators

This career exploration opportunity is being offered through a partnership between IRRRB and MDC.

Learn more about the expo.

Can you walk on water? Make ice cream in 60 seconds? Make a magnet float in mid-air, no strings attached?

Answers to these questions and more will be explored at an upcoming showcase featuring Michigan Technological University’s Mind Trekkers at the Miners Memorial Building in Virginia. The showcase will bring the "wow" of science, technology, engineering and mathematics to the hands and minds of K-12 students under the inspirational guidance of the Mind Trekkers team consisting of undergraduate and graduate students. 

From 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3, the Iron Range Mind Trekkers Showcase will host more than 1,700 sixth grade students during a sixth grade field trip day. Reservations for the Friday, Oct. 3 showcase are full.

From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4, the showcase is open to the public. Students, parents, grandparents and teachers are invited to attend. Admission is free.

 Learn more about Mind Trekkers.

The inaugural Laurentian Chamber of Commerce Getting Back to Business conference is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 15 at the Virginia Elks Club from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Presentations and panel discussions will include: 

Customer Service: Ted Schick, Schick Corporate Learning

Attracting & Retaining Employees: Michelle Purvis, Agility Learning LLC

Workforce Development Panel: Roy Smith, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities and IRRRB; Marla Beaty, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development; Brian Hanson, APEX; and Trent Janezich, Advanced Minnesota

Exhibitor tables will be available showcasing products and services that area businesses need. Networking time will be provided throughout the day to encourage further conversation and idea sharing.

The cost to attend is $50 for Laurentian Chamber members and $75 for those who are not members. 

The conference is being sponsored by IRRRB and the University of Minnesota Duluth Center for Economic Development.

Contact the Laurentian Chamber for more information at 218-741-2717 or admin@laurentianchamber.org.

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