This unit is made up of an introductory activity called ‘James and the gold rush’, and one main activity entitled ‘What happened next?’.

In ‘James and the gold rush’ students are introduced to the gold rush through the eyes of James, a prospector, who is trying to decide what type of gold deposit and equipment he should choose when he stakes his claim.

In the second activity, ‘What happened next?’, students help a modern-day environmental scientist, Hannah, as she interprets the results of mercury analysis of fish from rivers and lakes in the historical gold rush mining area. Students are asked to suggest what recommendations Hannah should make to local fisherman based on the results.