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Textbooks were set aside yesterday with science students from Biloela State High School and Redeemer Lutheran College putting on the lab coats for hands-on STEM activities in a Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) workshop.

The Year 9 students rocked the lab coats for three activities, focusing on different phases of mining operations from exploring to engineering and the final stage of extracting resources from the earth.

There was plenty of local knowledge and expertise for the students to refer to with workers from Batchfire Resources joining the STEM Unearthed workshop.

Ian Hillier from Batchfire Resources said they were impressed with the students’ enthusiasm for science and interest in resources.

“Batchfire is a big part of the Biloela community and today was a great chance for us to share some insights about our operations and the diversity of roles needed to operate a site like Callide mine,” said Ian.

“Over 85 per cent of our workforce lives locally and we hope today’s workshop has inspired some of these students to join us in the future.”

The QMEA is the education arm of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) and Katrina-Lee Jones, QRC Policy Director – Skills, Education and Diversity, said the STEM Unearthed workshop complemented the Australian curriculum and engaged students about Queensland’s resources sector.

“It is a dynamic industry and there is a high demand for professional roles like engineers, metallurgists and geologists,” said Ms Jones.

“In Year 9 the students are starting to consider their study options for senior school and I hope today has excited them about the career options available if they focus on science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects.”

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.

Visit shapeyourfuture.com.au to find out more about resources careers.