Wilson Quarry hosts Algebra Academy students for hands-on STEM learning

A group of students from the Bruce W. Woolpert Algebra Academy visited Graniterock’s Wilson Quarry at the end of April for a tour to see how math and science come to life in the world of mining and construction materials.

Coordinated and led by Ashlyn Yocum of the Logistics team, with support from Marketing and Community Involvement Director Keith Severson and Marketing Specialist Liam Tveit, the tour brought the quarry’s operations into focus in a way that was informative and fun.

Students learned about the geology of the site, how rock is extracted and processed and how the heavy equipment plays an important role in the quarry’s success.

Aaron Thornton provided a great introduction to the Wilson Quarry, setting the stage for the day’s hands-on learning.

Quarry tour guides Josh Basanese and Devin Texeira led all four student groups through the heart of the operation, explaining how production flows from drilling and blasting all the way to finished products.

Ivan Vasquez and Robert De La Cruz introduced students to the dozing operations and heavy equipment in the pit, offering a close-up look at the machines that move mountains of rock.

The kids enjoyed a demonstration led by Quality team members Joe Amparan and Greg Wilkinson, which showcased the role testing and quality play in aggregate production.

A lesson in geology was another highlight, as Environmental team members Jon Erskine and Nathan Yocum explained the history behind the granite deposit and how it is responsibly mined for infrastructure projects.

“This program is so special because we’re not just teaching kids about math, we’re opening their eyes to an industry and environment they might never get to see otherwise,” Ashlyn said. “I just know that one day, they’ll look back and remember the day they stood in a giant quarry 120 feet below sea level, saw rocks bigger than them, watched material sift through sieves and learned from the best people doing the coolest work.”

Special thanks to Daisy Gonzalez for helping with event coordination and setup, Lucia Rivera for ordering the infrastructure and Elias Pimentel for providing IT support for playing the safety video.

The tour was part of Graniterock’s ongoing commitment to education and community engagement, particularly through the Bruce W. Woolpert Algebra Academy, which helps middle school students build skills in math through teaching and mentorship.

Thanks to Keith, Liam, Ashlyn, Josh, Devin, Ivan, Robert, Joe, Greg, Jon, Nathan, Aaron, Daisy, Elias, Lucia and the entire Wilson Quarry team for creating a memorable experience that might inspire the next generation of engineers, geologists or heavy equipment operators!