• Click here for photos of The Treasures of the Earth workshop 
• Click here for photos of the Pulleys for Productivity workshop

An incredible 1300+ students at Mansfield State High School have participated in science workshops delivered by the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) this term.

This is a new school record for the QMEA and a roaring start to the partnership with Mansfield SHS which joined the QMEA’s network of 100 schools last year.

Over 650 Year 8 science students have been discovering which elements help to create everyday objects as part of the Treasures of the Earth workshop, conducted by QMEA STEM engagement officers.

This follows a series of physics workshops focusing on mechanical forces and pulleys with more than 650 of the school’s Year 7 students earlier this month.

These two workshops combine to total the highest number of students to ever attend QMEA workshops from the one school within a term.

Ms Katrina-Lee Jones, Director of Skills, Education and Diversity for the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) the success of the workshops reflected the school’s enthusiasm for science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

“The Year 8 students have enjoyed the Treasures of the Earth workshop as it has given them a greater understanding of the role resources play in creating items we use on a daily basis,” said Ms Jones.

“The students showed high levels of scientific enquiry throughout the workshop and a genuine interest in the resources sector.

Mansfield State High School principal, Karen Tanks, said becoming a QMEA school was a boost for the school and had given students access to educational experiences that complement the school’s delivery of STEM subjects.

“In this workshop, Year 8 students participated in an interactive treasure hunt based on the Mineral Council of Australia’s ’30 things’ publication,” said Ms Tanks.

“It puts everyday items under the microscope and breaks down the many minerals needed to create objects like smartphones, whitegoods and solar panels.

“The workshop has been a fun way to bring the elements of the Periodic Table to life.”

The QMEA is the education arm of the Queensland Resources Council and operates with the support of QRC members, industry sponsors and the Gateway to Industry Schools program funded by the Queensland Government.