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Budding young science enthusiasts from Millmerran State School P-10 dove into the deep end of water management knowledge today at an exciting workshop delivered by the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA), the education arm of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC).

Thanks to Genuity, about 30 Year 7 students soaked up new science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) knowledge as they explored how the resources and energy sector navigates the tides of water management.

QRC Director of Skills, Education and Diversity, Ms Katrina-Lee Jones said this hands-on educational experience introduced students to the concepts of water management from an industry and broader community perspective as they completed tasks aligned with the national science curriculum.

“Water: Yours, Ours, Mine is a unique program created by the QMEA that provides students with practical knowledge they can apply beyond the classroom to solve real-world challenges, preparing them for future careers,” Ms Jones said.

“Activities from this session creatively show students how the resources and energy sector manages and treats water, as well as how their STEM learning will translate to life after school as they embark on their professional pathways.”

Plant Manager at Genuity’s Millmerran Power Station, Mr Shane Burge said supporting regional skills development, particularly in the STEM space is a critical component of the company’s commitment to its regional communities.

“We pride ourselves on local employment, and partnering with the QMEA allows us to build a sustainable local talent pipeline and helps students from schools in our operational footprint bolster their professional and life skills,” Mr Burge said.

“This workshop gives students an insight into our responsible operating practices, and demonstrates how innovation, like our air-cooled, supercritical boiler technology is helping us achieve sustainability targets in the form of less energy and water consumption.”

Millmerran State School P-10 Principal, Mr Rob Michel said the students really enjoyed testing their STEM skills while completing interactive tasks focussed on filtration, flocculation – a type of treatment process, and data analysis.

“Students are always eager to learn how their classroom studies are preparing them for life after school, and today’s workshop was an excellent way for them to collaborate and problem solve under the guidance of experienced professionals from Genuity,” Mr Michel said.

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 90 schools and is a partnership between the QRC and the Queensland Government under its Gateway to Industry Schools program.