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The entire Year 8 cohort at Anglican Church Grammar School has gone beyond the classroom, and dove into the world of mining at an immersive workshop delivered by the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA), the education arm of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC).

In an exciting combination of exploration and education, about 225 students embarked on a treasure hunt around their classroom today, tracking down clues that linked elements in the Periodic Table with everyday products that support modern society and will also shape a technology-driven, decarbonised future.

QRC Director of Skills, Education and Diversity, Ms Katrina-Lee Jones said thanks to support from QRC members, students discovered the critical role of mineral resources and learnt how raw materials go into today’s technologies like cloud robotics, smart phones that use augmented reality, and driverless vehicles.

“We’re thrilled to have had Jock Littlewood – Churchie ‘old boy’ and now Mechanical Maintenance Engineer at Glencore’s Rolleston Mine at the workshop today, who mentored the students through hands-on activities that complemented the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths) curriculum,” Ms Jones said.

“This popular workshop wa a fantastic opportunity for the next generation to make personal connections with the resources and energy sector, and discover firsthand that if something isn’t grown, it’s mined!

“We hope today’s session has inspired the students to embark on rewarding career pathways into the resources industry, especially as our world continues to transition to a net zero economy.”

Anglican Church Grammar School Headmaster, Dr Alan Campbell said the school was proud to have hosted ‘Treasures of the Earth’ again this year, offering students insights into the different exciting career pathways into the resources and energy sector.

“At the core of our school’s ethos is a commitment to equipping these bright young men with the right skills to continue their pursuit of knowledge and learning throughout their lives,” Dr Campbell said.

“Exciting, school-based experiences like this with contextualised activities that have real-world applications can help our students make informed decisions about their study or training pathways after school.”

As Australia’s largest and most successful industry-led education and schools 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 97 schools and is a partnership between the QRC and the Queensland Government under its Gateway to Industry Schools program.