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Rocky's Reward inspiring students through STEM programs
As part of Thiess’ commitment to creating lasting value in the communities where we live and work, our teams across Australia are proud to support primary and high school students through contributing to STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) events and programs.
Our Thiess team in Western Australia has been busy, with team members volunteering on a range of activities from sharing their knowledge and expertise and inspiring career journeys to sponsoring and building solar car construction kits and outlining career opportunities available in mining and other industries.
Here is what our team has been up to recently.
Rocky’s Reward - Inspiring Girls Career Forum
Sponsored by Thiess, the Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA (CMEWA) Inspiring Girls Career Forum hosted Year 10 - 12 students and teachers from schools across Western Australia.
Thiess Rocky’s Reward team sponsored two high school students and a teacher from its local Leinster Community School to travel to Perth for the event.
Educational events included a hands-on experience with Australian Earth Science Education that included an exploration activity, where the students had to identify a tenement to lease for the development of a mining operation, and sessions on career options within the mining sector.
Alex Vassiadis, HSET (Health, Safety, Environment & Training) Advisor attended as an activity host volunteer, participating in the speed careering and sharing her personal journey and experiences working at Thiess.
Year 10 student, Axzyah, was inspired.
“It was a wonderful day! I think I may have found what I would like to do and how I can go about getting there,” Axzyah said.
Solar Car Challenge at Leinster Community School
In support of Science Week and STEM studies Rocky’s Reward also sponsored the purchase of 20 solar car construction kits for the Leinster Community School.
Alex Vassiadis, HSET Advisor and Community lead, Srijal Pokharel, Graduate Mining Engineer, and Lisa Gutterson, Senior Administration Officer helped the students to build the solar cars in what became an intense construction competition.
The students were challenged by how to get the best sun exposure to operate their cars without blocking other teams and were put to the test in a race at the end of the day.
Science teacher Gemma Ryan said the experience was invaluable for the students.
“The event was an incredible experience for the students where they could extend their STEM learning and develop collaboration skills far beyond what is possible in a classroom,” Gemma said.
“They had a great deal of fun working across age groups and we are very grateful to Thiess for their sponsorship and support which made this event happen.”