Bright sparks generate energy solutions
Bundamba State Secondary College students will come up with bright ideas for the best energy mix to power their community at a Queensland Minerals and energy Academy (QMEA) Energy: The Inside Story workshop today.
In the first of these workshops to be run at the school this year by the QMEA – the education arm of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) – students will use real-time data to determine the best energy mix after researching different electricity production technologies.
The event is supported by QRC members through a special education levy.
“The year 8 students will present a proposal to their peers outlining a breakdown of the state’s electricity needs, the pros and cons of different electricity production technologies and community, environment and economic benefits,” said Katrina-Lee Jones, Director Skills and Education with the QRC.
“They’ll also learn about the role of the National Energy Market and the Australian Market Energy Operator and how electricity is distributed across Australia,” she said.
“The “energy mix game” is a very engaging way for students to see how renewable and non-renewable energy sources contribute towards an optimal energy mix,” said Bundamba State Secondary College Principal Jarred Mitchell.
“They will see how their classroom work can be used in the real world through their task of proposing a new energy mix for reliable and affordable access to energy in 2050.”
As Australia’s largest and most successful industry-led education and skills training initiative, the QMEA seeks to broaden student and teacher knowledge of career opportunities in resources.
The academy encourages a talent pipeline of employees into VET and STEM-related careers, with a focus on female and Indigenous participation. The QMEA currently engages with 80 schools and is a partnership between the QRC and the Queensland Government under its Gateway to Industry Schools program.