Teacher Education Seminar



Teacher Education Seminar

Seminar participants had the opportunity to tour a drilling rig in western North Dakota.

More than 40 teachers and new industry members gathered for the 17th Annual Teacher Education Seminar in Bismarck, June 7-10. This event expands participating teachers' knowledge of the North Dakota oil and gas industry, from its prehistoric beginnings to the final product. The seminar covers various aspects of the industry including history, geology, physics, engineering, production issues, refining and marketing, employment needs, and the impact of oil tax on state tax revenues, policy decisions and the state's budget surplus. In addition to learning from a number of industry professionals regarding various aspects of the industry, teachers had the opportunity to tour a well site, drilling rig, producing well, rail facility, reclaimed site, the Mandan Tesoro Refinery, and the North Dakota Heritage Center.

With all of the oil activity taking place in North Dakota, this year’s attending teachers were very interested, engaged and ready to learn.

Seminar Reviews:
“I came to this seminar looking for guidance to the growing oil production process and was blown away with all the possibilities, technology and opportunities that are available in western North Dakota.”
               - Doug Margerum, Richland High School,
                 Colfax, ND

“The seminar presented a wealth of information and resources for students and classroom use. I will definitely be utilizing this information and materials. Thank you for the opportunity to attend this seminar. I will be sharing the whole experience with colleagues, students and friends.”
               - Dianne Sonstelie, Fosston High School,
                 Fosston, MN

Thank you to all those involved in making the Teacher Education Seminar a success! Special thanks to Larry Dokken, Lynn Helms and Kent Ellis for their extra efforts in coordinating and teaching at the seminar. We also want to thank the companies who provided tours, prizes, and sponsored the oil field lunch.

 The seminar is funded by the Petroleum Council and a grant from the Oil & Gas Research Council.

Larry Dokken, Frear Consulting, explains the process of hydraulic fracing. Blaine Hoffmann, Whiting Petroleum Corp., explains to teachers the process of drilling.

Seminar speaker presentations
(*These files are quite large and may take several minutes to download.) 

9th Annual Oil Trivia Bowl (PPT)
Seminar Booklet
The Life of a Well
Petroleum Geology
Physics and Petroleum Engineering
Refining
Pipelines