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An entire year seven cohort from Mount Isa learnt about the fun of physics when they took part in Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA)’s ‘Physics in Flight’ workshop yesterday (30 March).

QMEA, which is the education arm of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC), encouraged 100 students from Good Shepherd Catholic College to explore how science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) can lead to exciting careers in the resources sector, while participating in a paper plane challenge.

“’Physics in Flight’ used design and teamwork to better understand physics in motion,” said QRC’s Director of Skills, Education and Diversity Katrina-Lee Jones.

“In this paper plane competition, students worked in teams to understand the concepts of flight and the wider application of physics,” she said.

“Students worked with Glencore Mount Isa Mines (MIM) representatives to learn about career pathways into the resources sector and be challenged to design a paper plane that will stay in the air the longest while also managing other factors such as budget and timeline.”

“‘Physics in Flight’ is a popular STEM activity for local QMEA schools as students at any level can embrace the concepts and learn through this engaging and fun way,’ said Glencore Queensland Metals Human Resources Group Manager, Clint Milner.

“Our team at Glencore Mount Isa Mines is always eager to play a role is this program as it gives students an understanding of how physics concepts are part of the everyday,” he said.

“The ’Physics in Flight’ workshop is a great way to show our students that mathematics is dynamic, and careers in STEM can be interesting and rewarding,” said Principal of Good Shepherd Catholic College Kathleen McCarthy.