Robots teach students engineering skills

BRISBANE students will be encouraged to consider engineering and other STEM careers when they roll out their problem-solving skills today. 

The year 9 students from Coorparoo Secondary College, St Laurence’s College and Kelvin Grove State College will program Lego robots, discover chemical processing, and how engineering is used in environmental management on a mine site. 

The event is being conducted at Coorparoo Secondary College by the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA). 

“These practical tasks are linked to current classroom learning and help join the dots between classroom theory and the practical application of maths and science,” said Katrina-Lee Jones, director skills education and diversity with the Queensland Resources Council. 

“It also helps them understand the variety of careers available in the resources sector, and how to step onto these career pathways. 

“We are facing a critical shortage of engineers particularly in mining and we hope that these students will be encouraged to consider this vital and rewarding occupation.” 

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, sustains one in seven Queensland jobs, and supports more than 14,400 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 74 schools throughout Queensland. 

www.wrc.org.au

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