PENDLETON, IN  IMAA and Irving Materials, Inc. (IMI) hosted 23 local Boy Scouts from the Crossroads of America Council at a Mining in Society and Geology Merit Badge Workshop.

IMI volunteered their Pendleton Quarry location, shop facility and several employees to host the workshop. The all day workshop covered all of the requirements for both the Mining in Society merit badge and the Geology merit badge. The scouts learned from several industry experts, and also took a tour of the Pendleton Quarry, E & B's asphalt plant and the sand and gravel operation. Parents and troop leaders were invited on a tour of the facility, too.

The volunteers who helped to put this workshop together included Trent Carney, Rogers Group, Inc.; Jon Havens, Irving Materials, Inc.; Kim Williams, VCNA Prairie, Inc.; Jo McMillan, retired; and Matt Christman; Irving Materials, Inc. Plant manager ` allowed the association to host the workshop at the IMI facility.

The Boy Scouts Mining in Society Merit Badge was introduced in 2014 as one of a series of merit badges focused on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) topics.

"By providing a factual and comprehensive program of instruction, the Mining in Society merit badge ensures that, for years to come, members of the next generation will be introduced to the importance of mining and minerals in their daily lives and have the opportunity to learn about careers in the industry," said John Murphy, SME Past President and Chair of the SME Merit Badge Advisory Panel.

The Indiana Mineral Aggregates Association along with the PIE Committee have held periodic Merit Badge Counselor Trainings to help IMAA members present prepared materials to local scout troops. During the trainings, an IMAA member becomes a registered merit badge counselor and receives multiple presentations that cover all of the requirements for the Mining in Society and Geology merit badges.  The trainings also offer suggestions on how to host a merit badge workshop, or different ways that a person could present the material.

The purpose of the Indiana Mineral Aggregates Association is to solve common problems of the Indiana aggregate producing industry, principally in the areas of specifications for aggregates, mine safety and reclamation, air and water pollution, legislation, research for improvements in aggregates used, increased public awareness of the importance of aggregate products in their daily lives, and broadening the use and application of aggregates in Indiana.