It wasn’t quite the TV show Robot Wars but there were plenty of young robot warriors putting their knowledge to the test in North West schools last week.
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On Tuesday, more than 50 switched-on students from Mount Isa and Cloncurry schools enjoyed a day of robotics, programing, design engineering and chemical processing.
The Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) ‘Expand Your Mind’ workshop, hosted at Good Shepherd Catholic College and sponsored by Glencore Mount Isa Mines, provided the Year 9 students with hands-on activities to prepare them for a job in the resources sector.
QMEA Senior Project Officer Tammy Grady said the workshop challenged students to think outside the box and use technology to solve puzzles across numerous activities.
“Each student was tasked with the challenge of building robots and then coding the wheeled critters through a mapped area consistent with a mine site,” Ms Grady said.
“QMEA programs teach students in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) stimulation with a focus on automation in the resources sector.”
Ms Grady said the focus was on simulating real life mining challenges for students in a fun and interactive environment.
“They are using robots but they are leaning maths and science,” she said.
Ms Grady said there were three parts to the program, the robotics, a chemical processing challenge and finally an engineering and design challenge.
“We have Glencore industry reps who float around the room and help out with the students,” she said.
“They always say, ‘this is what I do at work’ so it’s real world.”
Ms Grady said that was what was crucial, understanding the application of what they were doing now in the workforce.
Glencore’s Chief Mining Officer Copper Assets North Queensland Matt O’Neill said it’s great to see so many motivated and inspired young minds.
“Our sector is one that is technologically advanced and we need people with high levels of skills in these areas, now and into the future,” Mr O’Neill said.
“We particularly value the interaction between our employees and the students with employees able to share their own experiences of study and career pathways as well as the day-to-day functions of the job.”
“I know our employees get as much out of it as the students.”