• Mansfield SHS – Pulleys for Productivity and Lighting the Way workshop photos
• Glenala SHS – Mining for Code workshop photos

Hundreds of students have kicked off the school year by digging deep into the world of resources, participating in a variety of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) workshops delivered by the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA).

This month students in Year 7 and 9 at Mansfield State High School have been exploring physics and its application to mechanical equipment used in mining, like cranes in a ‘Pulleys for Productivity’ workshop. They also completed a science workshop on refractive light and how it is used to improve safety in dark work environments.

At Glenala State High School the focus was on new technology for Year 7 students and how it can be applied in the resources industry, including for the remote operation of vehicles.

The QMEA is the education arm of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) with workshops in southeast Queensland delivered thanks to the generous support of its members.

Katrina-Lee Jones, QRC Director of Skills, Education and Diversity, said the workshops in Brisbane schools help to educate students about one of the state’s most important industries.

“Brisbane is Queensland’s largest mining town with 245,117 jobs in the Brisbane region supported by the sector,” said Ms Jones.

“These people provide the industry with experts in engineering, technology, big data, environmental science and economics.”

“The workshops offer students a chance to see the complex challenges presented by the resources sector and how to be part of solving real world problems.”

“The enthusiasm of the students for QMEA workshops shows that it is not only the regional students who are keen to know more about the resources industry,” said Ms Jones.

“The STEM workshops expand the students understanding of science concepts and increase their awareness of mining operations and the many career opportunities available to them in the future.”

This year the QMEA is celebrating 20 years of inspiring students to follow a trades or science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) study pathway with a focus on the many rewarding career opportunities in the resources sector.