Joe Mager, an engineering manager for Slusser Brothers, is used to spending his days determining grades and calculating distances for construction crews on road projects throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania. So it was a nice change for Mager to spend the day at Small Mountain Quarry surrounded by curious fourth graders. Mager and dozens of Slusser Brothers employees recently hosted the fourth grade of Rice Elementary at the class tour of Small Mountain Quarry.

The students learned about engineering, surveying, heavy equipment, rock formations, road materials and protecting the environment. More than 100 students spent the day at the quarry, traveling from one work station to another in school buses, learning about the different jobs at the quarry and enjoying lunch under a large tent near the heavy equipment.

A Slusser Brothers engineer, Kristin Smith, explained how the quarry recycles the water it uses through belt-press machines. The quarry conserves thousands of gallons of water every day using the process. Smith was one of several female employees at Small Mountain Quarry, who informed students about the aggregate industry and the jobs available at the quarry. Language Arts Teacher Amanda Yeager said that had an impact on the girls on the tour.

Slusser Brothers employee, Beth Brominski spent four days at Rice Elementary before the tour, teaching the students about what types of jobs are available in the aggregate industry. Brominski discussed the different types of materials that are produced at Small Mountain Quarry used to build roads, bridges and highways in Luzerne County. She also discussed the heavy equipment used in quarrying and construction operations and safety issues.

The tour of Small Mountain Quarry is part of a comprehensive educational program called RockMan, which is sponsored by Pennsy Supply, the parent company of Slusser Brothers. The goal of RockMan is to teach the next generation about employment opportunities in the aggregate industry.

The tour, held on May 18, was the second year that Slusser Brothers suspended operations at the quarry to host the fourth graders from Rice Elementary. General Manager Patrick Bartorillo said the tour is one of several ways Small Mountain Quarry shows its support for the community.

“It is a way for us to give back to the community. Hopefully, it will also inspire our young people from the area to stay here, find good jobs and raise a family,” Bartorillo said.

He noted that the Small Mountain Quarry employs nearly 150 workers, including engineers, equipment operators, construction workers and maintenance employees. Many of them have worked at the quarry for more than 20 years.