Lana Lockhart has always dreamt of becoming a scientist.
We spoke to the Year 12 Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) student from San Sisto College Carina for International Day of Women and Girls in Science (Saturday 11 February) to hear more about her passions.
In 2023, Lana’s dream is closer to being a reality after she was chosen recently to participate in the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) Oresome Minds Camp.
Through San Sisto College’s partnership with the QMEA, Lana has also participated in QMEA’s Beaker Bots Build program and STEM Unearthed program.
Lana says as her interest in earth science and engineering grew with the opportunities made available by her school, she began to investigate career paths that combined her interests.
“I enjoy thinking outside of the box and coming up with creative solutions to problems that we face in our daily lives,” she says.
“I am particularly interested in environmental solutions in the resources sector, and more specifically, finding alternative sustainable solutions to current industry practices.
“I believe that the mining and resources sector is critical to our future, and I want to contribute to the innovation and technological advances that are set to transform this industry over the next few decades.
“I would also love to be a part of and see an increase in the number of females pursuing this career.”
Lana says in 2022 she recieved the University of Queensland’s (UQ) Science Ambassador award and was also chosen to be a 2023 QMEA Ambassador.
“This year as QMEA Ambassador, I would love to continue promoting science activities and studies throughout San Sisto College and encourage younger students to take every opportunity by immersing themselves within the field,” she says
San Sisto College Principal Warren Bath expressed the College’s commitment to partnerships which enhance student pathways.
“San Sisto College places a great emphasis on partnering with universities, industry and community organisations, to ensure that our students have opportunities to access learning that is rich, real, and relevant to the pathway they have chosen,” he added.
“The dedicated and experienced staff at our College are committed to engaging in contemporary research to ensure best-practice pedagogy, and students have opportunities to refine and apply their critical thinking skills to real life problem solving.
“We place great value on providing a holistic approach to educating young women by fostering a vibrant, caring, and nurturing learning environment where students are challenged and extended to achieve success.”
In March 2023 Lana will also be part of QMEA’s girls mentoring program.
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Lana Lockhart (far right) on the QMEA Oresome Minds Camp.
About QMEA Ambassador program:
The QMEA selects up to 20 of the best and brightest senior students each year to become QMEA Student Ambassadors. Students participate in activities that will increase their understanding of the resources sector, provide opportunities for networking with other students and industry representatives and develop leadership skills.
About QMEA Oresome Minds Camp:
The Oresome Minds Camp target those students considering professional pathway into engineering or technology. Students engage with industry mentors to solve genuine problems encountered on mine sites.
About QMEA’s Beaker Bots Build program:
This program combines several challenge-based activities linked to science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The practical tasks are designed for Year-9 students and are linked to current classroom learning. Students work in teams and are called upon to problem solve, plan, diagnose, analyse and construct.
About QMEA’s STEM Unearthed program:
STEM Unearthed is a full-day event offered to students in year 10 who are seeking an academic pathway of study in year 11 & 12. STEM Unearthed encourages the pursuit of excellence in science and science-related subjects.
About QMEA’s girls mentoring program:
The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) and Women in Mining and Resources Queensland (WIMARQ) girls mentoring program, launched by the Minister for Women Di Farmer on 8 March 2019, provides career mentoring for girls in QMEA high schools. The program is the first of its kind, teaming female mentors from the resources sector with high-potential girls attending some of the 75 Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) schools across the state.