Taking over the classroom

Students at O'Connor Primary School in Kalgoorlie got a taste of life as an engineer when Monadelphous Project Engineer Peter Scally visited as part of AREEA's Bright Future STEM Program.

Sharing stories and photos from projects he has worked on, Peter took students behind the scenes of engineering and explained what it's like to work as a Project Engineer at Monadelphous. He also spoke about the services Monadelphous provides and the career path that led him to where he is today.

The session became even more hands-on when students stepped into the shoes of a Project Engineer, working through the planning and decision-making involved in building a new playground. Together, they explored what would need to be done, how long it might take, and the people, equipment and materials needed to bring the project to life.

Peter also introduced students to the exciting role engineering is playing in future technologies, from renewable energy and battery storage to autonomous vehicles and robotics.

"The kids were high energy and way more interested than I thought they would be," Peter said after the session. "They asked plenty of questions, but the one I heard most was, 'Do you know my dad?'"

Alongside more challenging questions in maths and engineering, students also took part in a series of STEM activities, including puzzles, ramp-building challenges, and virtual reality experiences. Peter said it was great to see both the boys and girls enthusiastically getting involved throughout the day.

Monadelphous has a long-standing partnership with AREEA and regularly takes part in Bright Future STEM Program activities across the regions where we operate. These sessions give our people the opportunity to share their experiences, showcase the wide range of careers available in our industry and help students see how STEM skills are applied in the real world.

AREEA's Bright Future STEM Program continues to introduce students across Australia to the diverse opportunities available within the resources and energy sector by connecting them with industry professionals and bringing STEM careers to life.