Full STE[A]M ahead
More than 40 Gladstone students will go full STEM (science, engineering, technology and mathematics) ahead at a workshop today, gathering the skills needed to drive Queensland’s resources sector and the state’s economy, thanks to the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) and event sponsor APLNG.
At the hands-on ‘Beakers.Bots.Build’ workshop, the QMEA – the education arm of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) – will challenge students from Chanel College, Gladstone and Toolooa state high schools to develop their planning, collaboration, and problem-solving skills through robotics, programming and engineering related activities.
“They’ll be investigating the periodic table, undertaking activities in collaboration, teamwork and communication as well as design and engineering,” said QRC’s Director of Education, Skills and Diversity Katrina-Lee Jones.
“The hands-on engineering and robotics challenges help put their classroom work into real-word applications, and make sure local students are well informed about the new career prospects in the resources sector being created by robots and other technology.
“We hope this will encourage students to seek one of the many STEM-based careers available in the resources sector,” she said.
“Australia Pacific LNG, operated downstream by ConocoPhillips Australia, is a proud supporter of QMEA’s STEM in School programs. This particular event provides an opportunity for students to employ real-world applications within the classroom,” said Rob Gibb, acting General Manager Government and External Affairs, ConocoPhillips Australia.
“These experiences help to open students’ eyes to the many career possibilities in the energy and resources sector, which they might not otherwise have known about or considered,” he said.
Chanel College Principal Dr Susan Bunkum said it was exciting for students to work with industry professionals who will provide presentations on their own study and career pathways.
“Our students will gain first-hand insight to careers within the sector and will be called upon to program, problem solve, plan, diagnose, analyse and construct through the various tasks,” she said.
As Australia’s largest and most successful industry-led education and skills 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 VET and STEM-related careers, with a focus on female and Indigenous participation. The QMEA currently engages with 80 schools and is a partnership between the QRC and the Queensland Government under its Gateway to Industry Schools program.