Collinsville teachers will discover how to inform their students with the new digital and design technologies curriculum this week.

They’ll be taking part in the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) STEM Proud program, which is sponsored by Thiess.

The teachers, from Collinsville and Scottville state schools and St Johns Bosco Catholic School will be in the expert hands of Dr Damien Kee who specialises in bringing technology concepts to teachers and educators around the world.

It will be the first of the STEM Proud programs, designed to build the skills and capabilities of teachers and students in the region.

“Students will have the opportunity to learn about the different technologies used within the resource sector and how they are implemented in everyday mining operations,” said Katrina-Lee Jones Director of Skills Education and Diversity with the Queensland Resources Council (QRC).

“The program will also highlight the many STEM-based career opportunities available within the Scottsville and Collinsville communities,” she said.

The three days will include one-on-one teacher professional development sessions, customised for each school.

“With the introduction of the new curriculum next year, these workshops will give our teachers the confidence to implement the curriculum in an engaging way,” said Scottsville State School Principal Vanessa Boal.

“Damien will also introduce students to coding and programming of LEGO EV3 robots, the sorts of skills that will be rudimentary for the careers of the future,” she said.

The hands-on experience will help students to prepare for a robotics competition to be held in term three.