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Grade 10 students from Clermont State High School have today (25 August) discovered that a career in resources and energy rocks after they participated in a Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) workshop.

Thanks to support from Glencore Coal, students spent the day completing hands-on science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) activities with real-world, resources and energy industry applications.

QMEA Director, Ms Katrina-Lee Jones said in addition to showcasing the many rewarding career opportunities available in the resources sector, the STEM Unearthed workshop also aims to excite and enthuse students to continue their STEM studies in their final years of high school.

“The tasks in today’s workshop, which are linked to the national science curriculum, have been strategically designed by the QMEA to augment the students’ classroom learning while demonstrating how fundamental STEM theories are used in the resources and energy sector,” Ms Jones said.

“One of the most popular activities in this program saw the students use two methods to extract copper from rocks, allowing them to utilise their chemistry skills while analysing and comparing the best yield from both processes – something that metallurgists frequently rely on.”

Human Resources Manager at Glencore Coal, Anthony Exelby said students put their project management, financial planning, teamwork, and risk management skills to the test when they operated their own mini mines for ‘finding coal is your goal’.

“There is so much involved in minerals extraction and processing, and our industry relies on a myriad of technical professionals ranging from engineers and environmental scientists to accountants and drone pilots,” Mr Exelby said.

“We want to show students that this dynamic and innovative industry is an exciting space to work in, and we hope today’s workshop has inspired students to consider a career with Glencore Coal, or the wider resources sector.”

Clermont State High School Principal, Mrs Leigh Dyer said students greatly benefit from engaging activities that complement their classroom learning.

“We’re proud to have hosted this QMEA workshop today, and it was fantastic to have representatives from Glencore Coal in attendance to answer any questions the students had in relation to a possible career in resources.”

As Australia’s largest and most successful industry-led education and schools 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 vocational and professional careers, with a focus on female and Indigenous participation. The QMEA currently engages with 90 schools and is a partnership between industry and the Queensland Government under its Gateway to Industry Schools program.