This week-long summer session offers teachers in grades 3-7 and earth science teachersa unique opportunity to learn about the coalfields in Virginia/central Appalachian region and the economic impact on the state/local/region economies. Designed to address the natural resource and earth science standards of learning, the sessions provides teachers first hand field experience with the extraction, preparation and utilization of coal. In addition, the regulatory requirements and global economy associated with coal are examined.