The three Ps—Programming Processing and Propelling—will replace the three Rs at Bundaberg State High School when students get hands-on with the practical applications of science technology engineering and maths (STEM).

Under the tutelage of professionals from Evolution Mining’s Mt Rawdon Gold Operations, the students will learn how to program robots, process minerals and build a catapult in the Beakers.Bots.Build activity run by the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA).

“These activities will bring STEM to life for these students and show them how it’s applied in the world of work,” said Bundaberg SHS Principal Karen McCord.

“It’s also very exciting for the students to speak to industry representatives who can pass on information about their careers in STEM-related fields.”

The students will program a robot to enter a mine site and pick up product at three different points, entering and exiting the site safely and efficiently.

They’ll then get out the beakers and bunsen burners to do some chemical processing, before building a catapult to launch a coin the maximum distance while working under time and budget constraints.

“It will be great to see the creative ideas generated by the students during these activities. The skills students learn today are at the core of modern mining practices. Just last week Mt Rawdon tested a proof- of-concept for the application of a line of site remote dozer which can be operated from a safer location when dealing with potential geotechnical hazards,” said Evolution Mining’s People and Culture Manager, Penny Johnson.

“Not only is the QMEA program a great development opportunity for the students, our people really enjoy mentoring them and making them aware of the many possibilities for them in our sector, especially locally,” she said.

“We very much appreciate our industry representatives taking the time to mentor the students,” said Katrina-Lee Jones, Director Skills Education and Diversity with the Queensland Resources Council.

“These conversations with students can often be life changing when their eyes are opened to opportunities they might not have thought of,” she said.