About 80 Everton Park State High School students will be surprised to learn about the minerals contained in everyday items today when they take part in a Hunting Minerals, Metals and More workshop run by the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA), the education arm of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC).

They’ll go on a scavenger hunt using the “30 Things” publication produced by the Minerals Council of Australia to find the links between elements on the Periodic Table and their everyday uses.

Everton Park SHS Principal Susan Wallace said it was a fun way to brush up on the theory while relating their school work to the world around them.

“It will also help their social skills as they work collaboratively, make decisions and practice persistence,” she said.

QRC’s Director of Skills and Education Katrina-Lee Jones says that many people are unaware of the important role resources play in daily life.

“The students will learn that mining of natural resources makes everyday things possible – from electric cars to the development of technologies such as smart phones, wind turbines and solar panels,” she said.

“With our resources sector facing skills shortages, we also hope that the workshop sparks interest in the many and varied careers available to them with us.”

As Australia’s largest and most successful industry-led education and skills 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 VET and STEM-related careers, with a focus on female and Indigenous participation. The QMEA currently engages with 80 schools and is a partnership between the QRC and the Queensland Government under its Gateway to Industry Schools program.

Media Contact: Caroline Morrissey  0417 770893 or Carolinem@qrc.org.au