Pioneer State High students attend resources sponsored STEM workshop

Students from Pioneer State High School were invited to the Unearthing STEM workshop, but were they able to unearth a future career? DETAILS, PHOTOS.

Students from Pioneer State High School attended the Unearthing STEM workshop. Were they able to unearth a future career?

In a push to expose the “next generation” of engineers and resources workers Year 10s from Pioneer State High School were taken out of class for a workshop that “unearthed careers in STEM”.

Organised by the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy Pioneer State High year 10s were split into teams and competed against one another in two activities that focussed on mining oriented examples of STEM skill sets.

That included a taste of mixology and chemical engineering, being asked to recreate a drink and match the original composition.

And then a sample of what it’s like to build a mining business, from starting small, scaling up operations then rehabilitating the land.

Students from Pioneer and Mackay State High School attended the Unearthing STEM workshop.

Danielle from Mackay wasn’t interested in a career in STEM before the workshop, instead envisioning herself as a flight attendant.

However, after enjoying the simulated coal mining activity, STEM is in the mix for her future career.

Mitch from Slade Point attended the workshop and wants to be a material engineer. Photo: Fergus Gregg

Mitchell from Slade Point, on the other hand, said that he’d always been into engineering.

“It’s a pretty good path to choose... I just like to create,” Mitchell said.

In his spare time Mitchell likes to play the game Trailer Makers, which gives players almost unlimited freedom in creating vehicles, which resonates with his mechanical curiosity.

“Creating things is just one of my favorite things to do and I want to hopefully solve problems in the world,” he said.

Kira from Mackay attended the workshop and wants to be a speech pathologist. Photo: Fergus Gregg

Kira from Mackay said that the workshop “opened her mind to different possibilities”, but ultimately doesn’t think STEM is for her, opting instead for a career in speech pathology.

Linda Murry, General Manager of BMA’s Hay Point Coal Terminal, who helped lead the workshop, said that many of the attending students were now interested in pursuing STEM in years 11 and 12.

“We are keen to encourage and support the next generation of professionals entering the resources workforce,” Ms Murry said.

“Talking to industry professionals about their career journey provides the students with a unique picture of potential careers they will not get anywhere else.”