Mount Isa students will discover just how fundamental science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) is to the resources sector today when they take part in a workshop supported by Glencore’s Mount Isa Mines.

The Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy is running the event at Good Shepherd Catholic College, which will also be attended by students from Spinifex State College.

Glencore Queensland Metals Group Manager − Human Resources Clint Milner says the Beakers. Bots. Build. workshop will use hands-on activities that link their school work to things we do every day in producing the mineral and energy products that modern society needs and rely on.”

“Students will engage in a range of challenges involving chemical processing, robotics and programming, environmental practices as well as design and engineering.”

“Mount Isa Mines employees will be on hand to help the kids understand how these important concepts work and offer practical advice on how to embark on a STEM career pathway to give them the confidence to forge ahead and succeed,” said Clint.

Principal of Good Shepherd Catholic College Kathleen McCarthy says the interaction with professionals working in the resource sector would also help guide the students to select appropriate subjects for a STEM career for their senior schooling.

“The students really look forward to these activities and we always see many lightbulb moments when the text books meet the practical application,” Kathleen said.

The QMEA engages with 80 schools throughout Queensland and is a partnership between the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) and the State Government under its Gateway to Industry Schools program.

The QRC is Queensland’s peak representative body for Queensland‘s resource sector. The Queensland coal, metal and gas explorers, producers and suppliers across the resources sector contributes one in every five dollars into the Queensland economy, sustains one in six Queensland jobs, and supports more than 14,400 businesses and almost 1,400 community organisations across the state, all from 0.1 percent of Queensland’s land mass.

Media contact: Katrina Lee Jones 0421 922 446 or katrinalj@qrc.org.au