Pulleys, productivity and physics in the spotlight at Mansfield State High School
More than 660 students from Mansfield State High School will explore the wonderful world of physics this month through a series of workshops facilitated by the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA), the education arm of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC).
In a first for Brisbane, 25 classes of Year 7 students at the school will participate in a Pulleys for Productivity workshop over three consecutive Wednesdays in February (Feb 14, 21 and 28).
Mansfield State High School principal, Karen Tanks, said the workshops were a great way to ignite students’ interest in physics in their first year of high school.
“Physics can be a bit of a mystery to Year 7 students,” said Ms Tanks.
“The Pulleys to Productivity workshop run by the QMEA gives students a practical understanding of mechanical forces and how they apply to the real world,” she said.
“The students will enjoy creating their own pulley systems under the guidance of the STEM engagement officers at the QMEA.”
QRC Director of Skills, Education and Diversity, Ms Katrina-Lee Jones said all QMEA workshops were aligned with the Australian Curriculum and designed to broaden students’ understanding of the importance of the resources sector to their daily lives.
“In the Pulleys for Productivity workshop students will learn how pulleys are used to move heavy equipment and machinery essential to the resources sector,” said Ms Jones.
“The workshops will show students how invaluable a relatively simple engineering innovation like a pulley is to being able to shift large loads safely and efficiently,” she said.
“We hope these workshops spark an early interest in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) studies which could ultimately lead to a rewarding future career in the resources sector.”