The Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) has turned classrooms into science and trades hubs for a series of workshops in south-east Queensland schools over the last month.

The five science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) and trade workshops were delivered to more than 200 students in the region during October.

Queensland Resources Council (QRC) Director of Skills, Education and Diversity, Katrina-Lee Jones said the academy, which is the educational arm of the QRC, had delivered the programs covering physics, chemistry, technology, energy generation and trade skills since the start of Term 4.

“All QMEA workshops are developed to complement the Australian curriculum and bring the theory learnt in the classroom to life,” said Ms Jones.

“We show the students how STEM concepts are applied in the real-world giving them a new perspective and reason to study STEM subjects,” she said.

“The STEM Unearthed workshop applies chemistry, engineering, maths and geology concepts to the life cycle of a mine.

“Getting modelled on mining processes the students unearth how their STEM studies translate into practice and a greater appreciation of the diverse professional careers available in the resources sector,” said Ms Jones.

“We want to inspire secondary students to continue studying STEM and pursue a career in the resources sector which has sustained growth for employment in Queensland.”

Ms Jones said students keen to follow a vocational study pathway into a trade apprenticeship after school were also catered for with QMEA trade workshops.

“There is a shortage of skilled tradespeople in the resources sector and many mineral and energy companies are offering wonderful apprenticeship programs for school leavers,” said Ms Jones.

“The QMEA’s Tradies for a Day workshop develops the students’ electrical, mechanical and pneumatic trade skills under the supervision of experienced tradespeople from the resources industry,” said Ms Jones.

“The Year 10 students get the chance to talk to people from the industry about their careers in the trades, which can be an excellent way to hear first-hand the benefits a trade could offer.”

The QMEA is a successful industry-led education initiative established to broaden student understanding of careers in the resources sector and operates in 100 schools in the south-east corner and regional Queensland. It is sponsored by QRC member organisations and the Queensland Government as part of its Gateway to Industry Schools program.

List of recent QMEA workshops and photo albums in south-east Queensland schools.

Media opportunity: Please contact Paula Lazzarini, QMEA Communications Manager, if you would like more information on SEQ workshops or to arrange interviews with students/teachers participating in the programs. E: paulal@qrc.org.au