Young minds explore mines for jobs of future

From exploration to rehabilitation, year 10 students from Kelvin Grove State College and St Rita's College will gain an in-depth understanding of mining and resources sector careers in a first for the schools (today 2nd May).

They'll be taking part in the first STEM4School Kids events to be held for the schools' students, after joining the 60-school strong Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA).

Led by industry professionals from Shell, ConocoPhillips, Glencore Zinc, Glencore Technologies and Rio Tinto, the workshop will include hands-on activities covering process engineering, minerals processing, mine-life cycles, exploration, mineral extraction and rehabilitation.

It's the first QMEA event hosted by Kelvin Grove SC.

"These workshops place the students' classroom learning in science technology engineering and maths (STEM) into a real-world context, helping them join the dots between the theory and practice," said Sue Isbell (HOD eLearning) at Kelvin Grove SC.

"Having the industry professionals there also helps them to see first-hand the possibilities from studying STEM subjects," she said.

"We're very pleased to have Kelvin Grove and St Rita's on-board as our newest QMEA schools," said Katrina-Lee Jones, Director Skills Education and Diversity with the Queensland Resources Council.

The resources sector provides one in every eight jobs in our state, and it's important for students to see the many and varied STEM-based careers open to them."

QRC is the peak representative body for Queensland 's resource sector. The Queensland resources sector provides one in every five dollars in the Queensland economy, and supports more than 15,400 businesses and community organisations across the State, all from 0.1 percent of Queensland's land mass.

The QMEA is a partnership between the QRC and the Queensland Government under its Gateway to Industry Schools program. It has 60 schools throughout Queensland.

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