Click here for photos from Water 4 All workshop.

Click here for photos from Rockin’ Reactions workshop.

Two workshops delivered by the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) this week will see Roma students become water whizzes and geology rockstars, thanks to support from Senex Energy.

The QMEA, the education arm of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) is delivering its Water 4 All and Rockin’ Reactions workshops to year seven and eight students from Roma State College, and St John’s Catholic School.

QRC Director of Skills, Education and Diversity, Ms Katrina-Lee Jones said about 50 students are learning about the importance of water management and geology from a resources industry context over two days of exciting activities.

“During Water 4 All today, year 7 students from Roma State College are working alongside representatives from Senex to understand different water treatment methods, particularly from a water conservation and efficiency perspective,” Ms Jones said.

“Year 8 students will then explore the conditions under which rocks are formed and use simulated air drills to investigate how rock samples are taken by geologists, during Rockin’ Reactions at St John’s Catholic School tomorrow.”

Senex Energy Community Relations Manager Trevor Robertson said these workshops are a great forum to show students how the fundamentals of science, technology, engineering and maths are applied outside the classroom.

“Supporting skills development in schools benefits Roma students and, ultimately, supports the entire community by enabling young people to have stable, well-paid jobs and a long-term future in their hometowns,” Mr Robertson said.

“It’s fantastic to have representatives from Senex Energy at these workshops to encourage the students in their STEM education and share their experiences of rewarding career opportunities in our company and the resources sector.”

Roma State College Principal, Mr Guy Hendriks said students are particularly excited about the ‘Watch it Cool’ component of the Rockin’ Reactions workshop tomorrow.

“Students will be tasked with analysing the differences between crystal size and shape using a microscope and will then sketch these different structures as part of their assessment,” Mr Hendriks said.

“They’re really eager to see how the school science curriculum can be applied to solve challenges in a real-world scenario.”

As Australia’s largest and most successful industry-led education and schools training initiative, the QMEA seeks to broaden student and teacher knowledge of career opportunities in resources.

The academy encourages a talent pipeline of employees into vocational and professional careers, with a focus on female and Indigenous participation. The QMEA currently engages with 90 schools and is a partnership between the QRC and the Queensland Government under its Gateway to Industry Schools program.