Getting children interested and engaged in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), particularly girls, has become a priority for our local mining companies.
In the past the national focus has been on creating an interest in STEM subjects with high school students and recent research has dictated that the focus needs to shift and also include primary school students.
In an effort to foster an interest in STEM subjects from an earlier age, CSA Mine and Peak Gold Mines have collaborated to present the Bright Future STEM Program to Cobar Primary School and St John’s School students.
The program engages 9-11 year old girls and boys and provide them with exposure to STEM professionals, encourages an interest in STEM careers and gives insight into future STEM employment.
Cobar Public School (CPS) principal Jonathan Harvey praised the program which he said worked in well with their curriculum and other work they were doing to promote STEM subjects to students.
Last Wednesday CPS hosted staff from both mines and students and staff from St John’s school for a hands-on educational day.
Mr Harvey said it was the second STEM interactive day the students had been exposed to this year and helped to create excitement and interest in STEM subjects.
During the STEM day last week staff from both mines worked with students on a range of activities that included an underground virtual reality tour; mining and rehabilitating choc chip cookies; driving model trucks via remote controls; and building bridges with spaghetti and marshmallows.
Three female speakers from the mines also spoke about their roles in the mining industry and shared with students their STEM stories and how they came to work in their occupations.
