STEM students swap schoolbags for hard hats
Mount Isa has been home to STEM-enthusiasts from across Queensland this week.
Fourteen students, from Year 11 and 12, swapped out some school holiday relaxation for the opportunity to participate in the Oresome Minds (STEM) camp delivered by the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) in partnership with Glencore Mount Isa Mines.
In addition to completing science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) challenges the students have also been immersed in the resources industry with an underground tour of Glencore’s George Fisher mine.
Faith Douglas, a Year 12 student from Cloncurry State High School said it was exciting meeting people working in the resources sector.
“I’ve really loved seeing how mining processes up close this week, it has strengthened my interest in the mining sector which I plan to pursue once I’ve graduated from school,” said Faith.
Fiona Pascoe, Manager, Human Resources and Training at Glencore said the camp was a great opportunity to demonstrate how engineering comes to life in the real-world.
“My team have been working with the students over the week and showing them our operations at the George Fisher mine, giving them a much deeper understanding of how STEM is integrated into the production and processing of resources,” she said.
“They also worked alongside industry mentors to complete a project designed to solve an engineering challenge related to the resources sector and pitch their innovation to the rest of the group – giving them great experience in teamwork, problem solving and presentation skills.”
Katrina-Lee Jones, QRC Policy Director – Skills, Education and Diversity said for some of the students the camp could be a pivotal point in deciding on their future career.
“The experience of working with industry mentors and going to an operational mine has given the students new insights and meaningful connections which could ultimately influence their study preferences after school,” said Ms Jones.
“This week they have realised the range of professions in the resources industry and have a deeper understanding of what it means to be a mining, geotechnical or data engineer and the part roles like this play in a successful mining operation.”
The Year 11 and 12 students attended the camp from the following schools:
- Cloncurry State School P-12
- Good Shepherd Catholic College – Mount Isa
- Moranbah State High School
- Spinifex State College – Mount Isa
- Tannum Sands State High School
- Brisbane Girls Grammar School
- St Hilda’s Girls School – Southport
- The Cathedral College – Rockhampton
- Somerville House – Brisbane
- Redeemer Lutheran College – Biloela
This year the QMEA is celebrating 20 years of inspiring students to follow a trades or science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) study pathway with a focus on the many rewarding career opportunities in the resources sector.