Welcome to our network, Marist College!
As the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) celebrates its 20th year, Marist College Emerald has become the latest school to join its growing network. The QMEA is set to expand further over the next three years, with new regional hubs planned for Mackay, Rockhampton and Townsville.
Marist College Principal, Mark Green, said the college was excited to be joining the QMEA and taking advantage of industry-based STEM and trade experiences offered by the academy.
“Marist College is located in the heart of the Bowen Basin, so our students are naturally interested in discovering more about the resources industry which surrounds them and the potential careers available to them,” Mr Green said.
The first QMEA workshop, “STEM Spectacular” was delivered at the school this week in partnership with Whitehaven Coal, who had team members guiding 140 students through the activities and sharing information about their roles on site.
“The Whitehaven team did a great job of connecting the entire Year 7 cohort to processes in the resources sector like exploring for coal and processing minerals,” said Mr Green.
Dan Iliffe, Regional General Manager Operations at Whitehaven said they were proud to be delivering the first QMEA workshop at Marist College in Emerald.
“The Emerald community has a long and proud history with the coal industry and through our new partnership with the QMEA, we hope to inspire the next generation of resource industry prfoessionals,” said Mr Iliffe.
Katrina-Lee Jones, QRC Policy Director for Skills, Education and Diversity, said the addition of Marist College to the QMEA network signalled an opportunity to further STEM education in the Emerald community.
We’re looking forward to engaging Marist College’s younger students in fun, hands-on STEM activities that spark curiosity and build confidence, helping them discover the many pathways available in the resources sector,” Ms Jones said
“Today’s workshop is just the beginning of a great partnership between the QMEA and Marist College – which will benefit the students, educators and industry.”