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More than 25 Year 10 Rockhampton students will today (11 May) discover that Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) rocks when it comes to the skills needed to drive Queensland’s resources sector and the state’s economy, thanks to the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA).

Through hands-on activities and experiments, the QMEA – which is the education arm of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) – will help students explore the mining lifecycle from exploration through to processing and rehabilitation via a ‘STEM Unearthed’ workshop.

“Together with Bravus Mining and Resources, we hope to increase the talent pipeline into the resources sector by helping students to understand the roles of engineers andother STEM professions needed within the sector,” QRC Director of Skills, Education and Diversity, Katrina-Lee Jones, said today.

The Cathedral College’s Principal, Rob Alexander said he welcomed QMEA’s return to the classroom.

“These hands-on demonstrations are invaluable in making the students’ classroom lessons come to life in real-world context and highlight the great careers available in their hometown that can result from STEM studies,” he said.

“Bravus is proud to participate in this event which helps students understand the opportunities and career paths on offer, which have a foundation in science, technology, engineering and maths,” said CEO of Bravus Mining and Resources, David Boshoff.

“With our mining, renewables, and infrastructure assets based in Queensland, we want to ensure local children are benefiting from our support,” he said.

“We want them to know about the many opportunities open to them in our sector, that can potentially bring them back to their hometowns and keep regional communities strong, while building the skilled workforce that we need.”

Bravus Mining and Resources is also supporting an upcoming QMEA camp at Rockhampton Central Queensland University’s campus in the July school holidays.

The QMEA is Australia’s largest and most successful industry-led education and skills training initiative and seeks to broaden student and teacher knowledge of VET and STEM career opportunities in the resources sector.

The academy is largely funded by QRC members and sponsors, and currently delivers hands-on workshops and programs to 80 Queensland schools. The QMEA has a focus on increasing female and Indigenous participation and is part of the Gateway to Industry Schools Program which is supported and funded by the Queensland Government.

The QRC is Queensland’s peak body for coal, metal and gas explorers, producers and suppliers across the resources sector. It contributes one in every five dollars to the state economy, sustains one in six Queensland jobs, supports more than 15,000 businesses and contributes to more than 1,200 community organisations – all from 0.1 percent of Queensland’s land mass.