Darwin and Palmerston schoolkids will this week (December 1 & 2) get hands-on with resources and energy careers, as INPEX teams up with the Australian Resources and Energy Group, AREEA, on an interactive primary school engagement program.
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.
Having already visited schools across five states and reaching almost 5000 kids nationally in 2019-2020, this week is Bright Future STEM’s overdue arrival in the Northern Territory thanks to major energy producer INPEX.
“INPEX is pleased to welcome the AREEA team to the NT and we look forward to partnering with them in delivering an engaging and fun STEM program in Darwin and Palmerston primary schools this week,” INPEX General Manager NT Roland Houareau said.
“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.”
AREEA Director Operations Tara Diamond said the Bright Future STEM team has been very much looking forward to visiting Darwin and Palmerston this week.
“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.
“In Darwin and Palmerston the resources and energy industry is a key contributor to jobs and the economy. No doubt many of the schoolkids will already have some awareness and understanding of the sector.”
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 will learn about the array of career pathways and hear firsthand from INPEX role models about their own pathway and why they love working in the sector,” she said.
“Female role models from INPEX will be on hand to ignite a passion for STEM in girls, 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 and Virtual Reality headsets, which give a 360-degree view of mining and oil and gas operations.
For more details or to arrange interviews / photo opportunities, please contact AREEA Senior Media and Communications Advisor, Brad Thompson, 0409 781 580
