Irving Materials Inc. (IMI) sponsored GeoFest at the Indiana State Museum in Indianapolis. The three-day event is dedicated to the discovery of rocks and minerals. It draws in thousands of school-aged children, teachers and parents. This is fourth year that IMI has been the presenting sponsor of GeoFest.
Beyond sponsorship, IMI employees and their families helped create a learning center where children mixed their own concrete and poured them into IMI paperweight molds.
“This is a fabulous event to show children what IMI produces and to see their eyes light up when they realize what is inside those red and white trucks in their community,” stated Holly Ward, IMI education and public outreach coordinator. “I heard several teachers and parents say to the kids, ‘you know your dad or your grandpa buys concrete from IMI.’ Being a part of these kinds of events is making an impression on the next generation.”
IMI employees handed out red string backpacks to children. The IMI booth also showcased fossils found in limestone at IMI quarries, as well as a video telling the story of limestone.
A red and white IMI mixer truck was parked outside the doors leading to the event. “It was a good visual reference for the children,” stated Rick Lucas, IMI geologist. “We were very busy trying to keep up with the kids,” stated Lucas.
IMI employees working at the booth were Matt Christman, Gary Faust, Lani Fowler, Scott Freeman, Jessica Hunsinger, Rick Lucas, Trent Sanders, Terry Smith, Mark Sullivan, Cindy Tucker, Adam Reeser, Oakley Reeser, Kevin Voorhis and Holly Ward.
The IMI booth was a popular place to be. In all, IMI helped 534 children make concrete paperweights over the three days.