It’ll be a robot roundup for students from four Brisbane high schools as they learn to program them in a hands-on workshop run by the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA).

It’s the first time the schools, Everton Park State High, Craigslea State High, The Gap State High and Clayfield College, have been involved in a QMEA event, having just come on board the 74-school virtual academy.

The year-9 students took part in a Beakers.Bots.Build event, which also involves engineering and design and chemical processing.

“All activities will highlight how the resources sector is at the forefront of technological advancement and showcase the many and varied careers in the resources sector,” said Katrina-Lee Jones, Director Skills Education and Diversity with the Queensland Resources Council.

“Key to the success of these workshops is the mentoring by resources sector people, and I thank Glencore Coal, the Society of Petroleum Engineers, BHP and BMA for enabling their people to attend.

“Their participation is invaluable in helping the students see the practical application of their classroom studies, and career pathways that are open to them that they might not have thought of previously.”

“Glenore Coal staff always find these workshops rewarding as students learn first-hand about careers and what they need to do to get there,” said the company’s Human Resources Manager Anthony Exelby.