The McCaw School of Mines is built on the campus of the McCaw STEAM Academy. It started out as a paper-mache model of a mine tunnel built in the corner of a classroom. Teacher Janet Bremer and others were instructing a course on Nevada mining and felt the model would give fourth-grade students more of an idea of what it was really like to be in a mine.

Shortly thereafter, the Gordon McCaw Elementary School staff met, discussed the idea, and then decided to think big. As a result, in 1996, the McCaw School of Mines became a 4,500 square foot reality at the McCaw STEAM Academy in Henderson, Nevada. Built along the same lines as the Indiana Jones exhibit at Disneyland, it is the only simulated mine of its kind in the state of Nevada. In 2000, the Visitors Center was added to the site.

The McCaw School of Mines represents a million-plus dollar project built entirely from donations. The McCaw School of Mines Foundation was formed to provide for the continuing development, operation, and maintenance of the McCaw School of Mines. The Foundation provides free transportation for students from the Clark County School District to visit the mine. We gladly accept donations and are always in need of volunteers to help with tours and events.