Blackwater students and teachers will this week take a deep dive into the world of digital design and technology to better understand how these tools are used in the resources sector.  

It’s the first time the Mining BIG Ideas program has been run by the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA), which is the education arm of the industry-funded Queensland Resources Council (QRC). 

About 100 students from Blackwater State High School, Blackwater State School and Blackwater North State School will be mentored by representatives from locally-based Curragh Coronado—one of the world’s largest producers of high-quality metallurgical coal—who will help students develop digital technology projects by describing real-world mining processes.  

Teachers will also benefit from the program, with about 75 local primary and secondary teachers taking part in QMEA professional development sessions.  

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our young people and teachers to be exposed to the fast-paced world of technology and to try these innovative technologies first–hand,” said Lisa Wogand, Principal of Blackwater North State School. 

“Our teachers are just as excited as our students to understand the cross-curricular links that apply so we can maximise the learning across our school community,” she said. 

Curragh Coronado’s People and Sustainability Manager Peter Murphy said the company was a proud supporter of the QMEA and was pleased to be able to offer customised programs to local schools. 

“Our industry relies heavily on using advanced technologies so it’s important to encourage students to consider science, technology, engineering and maths career pathways to help prepare them for exciting technology-based roles in our sector,” he said. 

Students will work with QMEA Innovation Partners, STEM Punks who have developed customised programs for all three schools. 

Students will learn about design thinking using programs featuring augmented reality. 

The QMEA engages with 80 schools throughout Queensland and is a partnership between the QRC and the Queensland Government under its Gateway to Industry Schools program.     

The QRC is Queensland’s peak representative body for coal, metal and gas explorers, producers and suppliers across the resources sector. It contributes one in every five dollars to the Queensland economy, sustains one in six Queensland jobs and supports more than 15,000 businesses and more than 1200 community organisations across the state – all from 0.1 percent of Queensland’s land mass.