Students and teachers across northern Queensland from Townsville to Cloncurry and Mount Isa will be stars this week in a travelling science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) roadshow.

The Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) STEM4 Schoolkids workshops will enable students to see first-hand the central role STEM plays in the minerals and energy sector.

Mentored by professionals from Glencore’s Mount Isa Mines and South32, the students will see how STEM is used in mine design, planning and rehabilitation, and in extracting minerals.

They’ll be able to talk to representatives from Glencore’s Mount Isa Mines and South32 about their jobs and what they need to do to prepare themselves before embarking on similar career roles.

Meanwhile, teachers will get the first look at a new careers publication Oresome Futures, a guide to pathways into the resources sector.

The publication, a collaboration between the Queensland Resources Council and the Queensland Government, showcases the variety of rewarding careers available and shows students how to match their interest and skills with the appropriate job role.

The teachers will also take part in teacher professional development on Arduino, an open-source electronics platform to help them bring STEM to life in the classroom.

Leanne Ryder, Manager Human Resources and Training, Glencore’s North Queensland Copper Assets Australia said innovation and technology have always underpinned the success of the resources sector.

“Strong STEM programs help to create and develop critical thinkers and future mining innovators which are essential to our day-to-day operations,” Ms Ryder said.

“Providing students with opportunities to explore the real-life application of STEM-related concepts will hopefully spark a passion for pursuing a career in these fields.”

“The QMEA workshops play an important role in informing students of the STEM-related career possibilities in their home towns,” said South32’s Vice President of Operations at Cannington, Rob Jackson.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for our students and teachers to bring industry into the classroom and find out about its application to learning and career potential,” said Christine Norton, Principal Cloncurry P-12 State School.

It will be the first QMEA STEM4 Schoolkids event conducted in Cloncurry and it’s expected 120 students from Good Shepherd Catholic College in Mount Isa, Cloncurry State School P-12, St Joseph’s Catholic School Cloncurry and Kirwan State School (Townsville) will take part in the events.