Sites in Martin Marietta's East Division promote education

Across Martin Marietta’s East Division, sites are working with local schools to help educate students about the world of mining.

Across Martin Marietta’s East Division, sites are working with local schools to help educate students about the world of mining.

In Georgia, Ball Ground Quarry hosted more than 50 students from Pickens County High School’s construction track. The group toured the operation, viewing the site from the overlook, taking a trip into the pit and driving through the plant to see the quarry’s heavy machinery close-up.

Each student also received a pair of Guardian Angel safety glasses to take home with them.

“There was a lot of excitement generated and many great questions. Several students even wanted to know how they could get hired,” said Office Manager Dawn Wood. “This is our first set of field trips since we reached out to this program last fall. We definitely plan on making this an annual event.”

Plant Manager Will Dennis echoed Wood’s sentiments.

“Partnering with Pickens County High School provides us with a valuable opportunity to support the education of our local youth,” he said. “These North Georgia students are situated in the heart of a natural resource corridor, which gives them a clear glimpse at possible careers right in their backyard. Bringing them on site provides a firsthand look at a company that prioritizes a strong safety culture. We took this opportunity to highlight our Guardian Angel Creed and provide a boots-on-the-ground experience that really showed how we operate!”

Meanwhile, for the second year in a row, South Carolina’s Berkeley Quarry hosted the Charleston Christian School.

Students visited the quarry to learn all about the mining process, the approximate age of the deposit, and types of fossils they can find. The group toured the site and examined excavated material in the parking lot to dig for fossils in a safe environment.

The team also conducted activities inside, including cookie mining, fossil and mineral identification, and looking through a microscope to examine fossil finds up close.

After the visit, Regional Manager of Environmental Engineering Ellen Price volunteered as a judge for the school’s science fair, where Martin Marietta also staffed a booth for students to examine the company’s material. Science fair winners were awarded Martin Marietta branded items as prizes.

Similarly, in Maryland, Texas Quarry Office Manager Trevor Hedrick spoke about Martin Marietta and mining at the St. Paul’s Lower School STEM Fair with Plant Manager Robby Hooper, an alumnus of the school.

At two company-sponsored tables, the duo was able to teach children and adults about the rock cycle and the mining industry. Using candy and cookies, the team was able to demonstrate to participants the continuous process where rocks are formed, changed and reformed through weathering, erosion, deposition, melting, cooling, metamorphism and other occurrences.

Such transformation results in the different types of rock, including igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rock types, which each require different methods of mining to extract resources like coal, metals and other precious stones.

“I love seeing the students’ eyes light up with curiosity and excitement as they explore the mining industry in creative ways. It’s inspiring to witness their enthusiasm and confidence grow as they gain more knowledge about our industry,” Hedrick said. “Being part of an event that nurtures young minds and encourages innovation reminded me of the power of hands-on learning and community support. We look forward to our continued partnership with St. Paul’s School for years to come.”