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Grade 7 students from Pimlico State High School last week (22 June) went on the hunt for valuable resources knowledge at a Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) workshop.

Thanks to support from Bravus Mining and Resources, the QMEA, which is the education arm of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) was in Townsville to deliver this educational program that sees students become earth-science detectives for a day.

QRC Director of Skills, Education and Diversity, Ms Katrina-Lee Jones said students eagerly participated in a treasure hunt, following clues to track down how elements in the Periodic Table link to everyday products.

“This workshop is about demonstrating a simple concept in an engaging and dynamic way – if something is not grown, it is produced by the resources industry,” Ms Jones said.

“Students worked collaboratively in teams using the amazing Minerals Council of Australia’s ‘30 Things’ publication to identify the various natural resources that go into making common items, from electronics to personal hygiene products.”

Bravus Mining and Resources has been proudly partnering with the QMEA since 2018.

“With our mining, renewables, and infrastructure assets based in regional Queensland and Bravus’ recruitment hubs and offices in Townsville and Rockhampton, it’s wonderful to be able to talk to students in our local communities directly about a career in the resources sector,” a Bravus spokesperson said.

“There are incredible opportunities on offer from engineers to operators and we would love to see more local students forge a path that could one day see them working at our Carmichael Mine or Rugby Run solar farm.”

Pimlico State High School Principal, Mr Joel Buchholz said the workshop was a fun forum for students to work alongside industry professionals and hear first-hand about the exciting career pathways on offer in their home towns.

“Treasures of the Earth gave our students the opportunity to further develop their communication and problem-solving skills whilst also bolstering the classroom curriculum,” Mr Buchholz said.

“This allowed them to connect what they’re learning at school with real-world applications, hopefully giving them the confidence they need to decide on education or training pathways for the years ahead.”

As Australia’s largest and most successful industry-led education and schools training initiative, the QMEA seeks to broaden student and teacher knowledge of career opportunities in resources.

The academy encourages a talent pipeline of employees into vocational and professional careers, with a focus on female and Indigenous participation. The QMEA currently engages with over 90 schools and is a partnership between the QRC and the Queensland Government under its Gateway to Industry Schools program.