AREEA’s Bright Future STEM program has been busy inspiring schoolkids across the country, visiting the Northern Territory and North Queensland to round out a successful year.
Earlier this month in Darwin and Palmerston, AREEA teamed up with member and local major energy producer INPEX as students from Leanyer school, Moil, Rosebery and Durack primary schools got hands-on with resources and energy careers.
INPEX General Manager NT Roland Houareau said the company was pleased to welcome the AREEA team to the NT, partnering with them to deliver an engaging and fun STEM program in Darwin and Palmerston primary schools.
“We are very proud to see INPEX and Ichthys LNG employees volunteering to work on this exciting program to share the stories of their career pathways with the students and help out with the activities,” he said.
AREEA’s Bright Future STEM Primary Schools program brings to life Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects through a series of stimulating activities and industry role models, all linking STEM back to real jobs in the resources and energy industry. The program has already reached almost 5000 kids nationally in 2019-2020.
AREEA Director Operations Tara Diamond said the Bright Future STEM team had been very much looking forward to visiting Darwin and Palmerston.
“Bright Future STEM is all about engaging schoolkids on STEM areas of study and building awareness of the diverse careers that can be found within the resources and energy industry,” she said.
Ms Diamond said role models play a critical role in the Bright Future STEM program, especially female role models to help breakdown gender stereotypes and inspire schoolgirls to follow a passion for STEM.
“Students learned about the array of career pathways and heard firsthand from INPEX role models about their own pathway and why they love working in the sector,” she said.
The female role models broke down and dispelled many outdated perceptions of the industry – including gender participation – and ignited a passion for STEM in both girls and boys, while empowering them to pursue STEM studies and take advantage of the many opportunities for jobs of the future.
“Research shows that STEM is too often focused on high school students – a point at which it may be too late as they’ve made decisions about the subjects they enjoy.
“Bright Future STEM engages children in STEM at an early age and piques an interest in our sector and the diversity of jobs available from choosing to study STEM subjects.”
Students learn through AREEA’s core STEM activities – Meet Edison, Turing Tumbles, Snap Circuits, Engineering challenges and Virtual Reality headsets, which give a 360-degree view of mining and oil and gas operations.
In addition, the Bright Future STEM program ventured to North Queensland to inspire students at Townsville Central State School and Belgian Gardens Primary Schools, promoting the future of our sector and the diversity of jobs available from choosing to study STEM subjects.
“In North Queensland the resources and energy industry is a key contributor to jobs and the economy – it was great to build further awareness and understanding of the sector, and highlight the rewarding careers unlocked to students by studying STEM,” Ms Diamond said.
“Students learned firsthand about the array of career pathways from local industry role models who shared their own journey and why they love working in the sector.
“We continue to be delighted by the positive response and engagement from students and teachers as we roll out the Bright Future STEM program, and Townsville was no different.”
AREEA thanks local resource companies Minjar Gold, Eagle Drilling and Ravenswood Gold for providing inspirational industry role models to share their career journey.
This AREEA initiative specifically engages 9 to 12-year-old children, encouraging an interest in STEM subjects and technology, and giving an insight into future STEM employment in the sector.
Launched in 2019 to overwhelming industry response, AREEA’s national, school-based Bright Future STEM program is building momentum and reaching more students in more parts of Australia.
AREEA thanks its members who have participated with Bright Future STEM to date, and encourages other members to learn how they can get involved.
If your company is interested in participating in the program, or would like sessions conducted in your operating region/s, AREEA would love to hear from you.
For more information, or if your school or organisation would like to be a part of the Bright Future STEM Program please contact us on (07) 3210 0313 or [email protected].
For more information, or if your school or organisation would like to be a part of the Bright Future STEM Program please contact us on (07) 3210 0313 or [email protected].
