Gifted Students Take Field Trip

More than 20 gifted students from Jasper County High School toured Georgia Tech’s invention studio and Lockheed Martin’s production facility.

The trip included an extensive tour of Georgia Tech’s student-run makerspace, a facility where students design and build using metal and wood-working tools, 3D printers and electronic fabrication.

After visiting Georgia Tech, the students ate at The Varsity and then toured the C-130 Hercules transport plane production line at Lockheed Martin. The C-130 Hercules, a four-engine turboprop, is the longest continuously produced military aircraft at over 60 years. The aircraft is capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, and besides being used as troop, medivac and cargo transport, the aircraft can also be used as a gunship, search and rescue and scientific research support.

Students who attended the field trip included Mackenzie Abbott, Madison Abbott, Chris Arnold, Jacob Bell, Tyler Cooper, Savannah Fritz, Maximilian Hess, Alina Jablonski, Avery Jacobs, Emiley Johnson, Jackson Johnston, Tayloir Lawrence, Tyrin Lawrence, Nataleigh Long, Gavriel McClain, Evan Newton, Tyler Phillips, Lacey Rutledge, David Salembier, Andrew Schilling, Madison Smith, Cameron Snyder, Meghan Terry and Amber York.

The group was accompanied by gifted advisors Tyson Harty and Christie McAlum, student teacher Patrick McClanahan and community volunteers Morad El-Jourbagy and Greg Holder.