QER is acknowledged for providing assistance with this resource. In this lesson, children will discover common materials using all of their senses and develop a vocabulary for describing objects. This lesson has been designed to align with the science Australian Curriculum year 2.   Australian Curriculum content statements…

QER is acknowledged with providing assistance for this resource. “Everyday objects made from minerals”   Objects of all kinds can be described using a rich vocabulary encompassing all of the senses. Many common and useful objects around us are made from oil. In this lesson, students will question,…

QER is acknowledged with providing assistance for this resource. “Fossils in oil shale deposits” Fossils are the remains of animals from long ago. The QER shale oil mine near Gladstone is the source of fossils up to forty million years old! In this lesson, students will learn the…

QER is acknowledged with providing assistance for this resource. “Caring for the Environment” Caring for our local environment is important, whether it is a mine site, a school ground or a neighbourhood park. In this lesson, students will explore the circle of life and ways in which they…

QER is acknowledged with providing assistance for this resource. “Exploring familar objects and materials” Plastics are made from oil. The wide array of types of plastics makes for an extensive diversity of properties. In this lesson students will classify a range of plastic objects according to their properties.…

QER is acknowledged with providing assistance for this resource. “Properties and uses of common materials” Properties help us to understand many of the common objects around us. Understanding what they are made of helps us to appreciate where they come from. In this lesson, students will participate in…

QER is acknowledged with providing assistance for this resource. “Plant growth in processed shale” After oil shale is processed it would be sensible to return it to the ground from whence it came, but is it safe and will plants grow in it? In this lesson you will…

QER is acknowledged with providing assistance for this resource. “Decision making in use of resources” Australia’s fuel challenge heightens the urgency to develop new fuel sources, but in doing so there are priorities of health, safety and the environment to be considered. In this lesson, you will tackle…

QER is acknowledged with providing assistance for this resource. “Decantation to separate oil and water ” After oil and water are extracted from oil shale at the QER New Fuels Development Centre, they settle in measure tanks which are kept warm to help the oil and water to…

QER is acknowledged with providing assistance for this resource. “Minimising environmental impacts” A field trip for students to explore for themselves elements of mine site rehabilitation by conducting a site survey, and strategies for the minimisation of greenhouse gas and other emissions, is a great learning opportunity. But…