Stem Unearthed for local High School students

Biloela students took part in the inspiring ‘Stem Unearthed’ event earlier this month, arming them with valuable new science, technology, engineering and maths skills, delivered by the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) alongside Batchfire Resources.

A total of 30 Year 10 students from Biloela State High School and Redeemer Lutheran College were involved, with smiles all-round from the opening ‘finding coal is your goal’ activity through to the final ‘perfect drink of water’ task.

Students performed a range of activities under the watchful guidance of experienced Batchfire employees, exposed to the array of STEM-focused career paths within the resource sector.

QRC Director of Skills, Education and Diversity, Katrina-Lee Jones, says this unique workshop is all about bringing the exciting world of the resources sector to the classroom, where students complete fun, industry-contextualised STEM activities.

“Today starts with ‘finding coal is your goal’ where students work in teams to run their own simulated mine sites, factoring in realistic challenges like finances, equipment maintenance and inventory, mine life, and post-mining rehabilitation,” Ms Jones said on the day of the event.

“Putting on lab coats and safety goggles, they’ll then become chemical engineers and geologists as they extract metal from rocks, investigating how Queensland’s resources industry produces critical minerals that power modern society.”

Batchfire Resources is proud to support the QMEA in a partnership that plays an instrumental role in educating the next generation of STEM professionals.

“STEM Unearthed is a fantastic opportunity for students on the precipice of choosing subjects for their final years of secondary school to discover how their STEM learning is applied in an industry operating in their backyard,” said Batchfire Resource CEO Allan Fidock.

“This experience empowers them with the right tools and knowledge to make informed decisions about their education or training pathways after school, and we hope they’re inspired to pursue an exciting career at Batchfire Resources, or in the broader resources and energy sector.”

The QMEA engages with 98 schools as part of a partnership with the Queensland Government, aiming to encourage vocational and professional careers in Resources with a particular focus on female and Indigenous participation.

To find out more about Batchfire you can connect with us on LinkedIn or contact us here.