More than 30 year-9 students from Ayr and Home Hill state high schools will go for gold in a Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) ‘Beakers.Bots.Build’ workshop today (16 June).

Students will create an ore-sorting device and use Lego EV3 robots to explore mining processes in the workshop run by the QMEA, the education arm of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC).

“Students will learn the importance of teamwork, communication and problem solving as well as discover the technological uses of gold in electronics and medicine. They will also receive some first-hand advice from Evolution Mining Mount Carlton representatives about the many and varied career options and pathways into the resources sector,” said Queensland Resources Council (QRC)’s Director of Skills, Education and Diversity, Katrina-Lee Jones.

“Evolution Mining is a proud supporter of QMEA as the programs provide an opportunity for students to employ real-world applications of their classroom work,” said Evolution’s People and Culture Manager, Rebecca Dubois.

“We try to open students’ eyes to the many possibilities in the resources sector, which they might not otherwise have thought about,” she said.

“It’s important for students in our regional areas to experience how exciting STEM can be and I know our students enjoy engaging with local industry representatives who share their experiences and mentor the students,” said Ayr State High School Principal, Craig Whittred.

The QMEA is Australia’s largest and most successful industry-led education and skills training initiative and seeks to broaden student and teacher knowledge of VET and STEM career opportunities in the resources sector.

The academy is largely funded by QRC members and sponsors, and currently delivers hands-on workshops and programs to 80 Queensland schools. The QMEA has a focus on increasing female and Indigenous participation and is part of the Gateway to Industry Schools Program, which is supported and funded by the Queensland Government.

Media Contact: Caroline Morrissey – 0417 770 893  or carolinem@qrc.org.au