Community
17 July, 2024
Students thrive at school STEM camp in Mount Isa
The teenagers came from across Queensland to improve their knowledge.
While most students were relaxing over the school holidays, a small group used the time to build their STEM skills and explore career options in an Oresome Minds camp at Mount Isa.
Sixteen senior students from across Queensland gathered to participate in the workshop delivered by the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy with the support of Glencore.
The QMEA is the education arm of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC).
The students had an action-packed week working in groups to develop, design and deliver a project of work related to the resources industry, all under the careful supervision of the Glencore team.
Glencore human resources and training manager Fiona Pascoe said the camp gave the students a great insight into how their science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) studies can be applied in the real world.
“They now have a better idea of how these fields are integrated into the production and processing of minerals at operations like Glencore,” she said.
“They have also worked in groups to respond to a project brief and deliver a STEM project related to the resources sector – including mechanical, civil and electrical engineering and geological processing and services. I hope the week has inspired them to continue their STEM studies and pursue a future career in the resources sector where they can make a real difference to the future.”
QRC’s director of skills, education and diversity Katrina-Lee Jones said the week was a unique change from the classroom with the students visiting Glencore site operations in Mount Isa as well as completing activities in the Glencore training facilities.
“The Oresome Minds camp has been designed to give a blend of practical experience, resources sector insights and develop innovative skills with the STEM projects,” she said.
“It has been a unique experience for the students to be fully immersed in the resources sector for a week.
“I am sure they returned to school armed with greater knowledge and a passion for a STEM-based career.”