Click here for Oresome Minds camp photos.

It was a three-day immersion into the dynamic world of Queensland resources for secondary students attending an Oresome Minds camp at Central Queensland University’s Rockhampton campus this week.

The unique camp gave Year 10 students an opportunity to extend their science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) skills with practical experiments and insights into the important role engineering plays in the resources industry.

Eight students from Moura State High School and Redeemer Lutheran College (Biloela), attended the camp delivered by the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) in partnership with Anglo American and CQUniversity.

The QMEA is the education arm of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC). Katrina-Lee Jones, QRC Director of Education, Skills and Diversity said the students got firsthand experience in engineering with experts from CQUniversity and the resources industry.

“During the camp the students have completed a practical physics project – building and testing the load capacity of a model PASCO boom crane,” Ms Jones said.

“They then got a real-world glimpse into crane operations and maintenance with a site visit to CQ Crane Hire,” she said.

“They have also completed a coal mining process activity, using geological data and available exploration equipment to estimate the time and resources needed to reach coal.”

“It’s truly a unique experience for students that combines academic challenges, networking opportunities and industry experience that’ll set them up for career pathways in resources.”

Dawson Mine general manager, Matt Stevens said Anglo American was proud to sponsor a camp encouraging local students to consider the resources sector for a future career.

“The students completed the camp with a site tour of our Dawson Mine operations on Wednesday, giving them a special insight into the role engineering plays in the day-to-day operations of a mine site,” Mr Stevens said.

“Our team really enjoyed showing the students how the mine works and talking to them about their career journeys.

“I hope the site tour and camp activities have inspired these young people to continue their study of physics at school and ultimately lead to a career as an engineer in the resources industry.”