On Friday April 27, all fourth grade classes in Tucker County paid a visit to Kingsford Manufacturing Company for a history lesson, a hands-on lab, a tour and lunch.
Upon arrival, the students were greeted by Plant Manager Carey Preston. Mr. Preston gave the students a history of charcoal and the plant. Safety rules were reviewed and each student was given a yellow bump cap and safety glasses. Next stop for the group was a Learning Lab.
In the Learning Lab, students were given the opportunity to see and touch the materials in a charcoal briquet. It was explained what function each material played in the briquet.
At last suited up in their hats and glasses, the tours began. Students viewed the sawdust pile and dozer and even weighed themselves on the truck scales! We were then off to the Retort (aka Big Candle), our control room operator explained how sawdust is turned into char one of the main ingredients in a charcoal briquet.
The next stop was briquetting. Students were able to see the charcoal briquets pressed out into the pillow shaped squares everyone is familiar with. The operator in briquetting explained how they control and make the charcoal briquet.
Then the group got to see the finished charcoal briquets put in a bag and ready for shipment in the packaging area.
The fourth graders’ time at Kingsford Manufacturing Company wrapped up with a lunch of grilled hot dogs, apple slices, chips and juice. And a group picture with the dozer.
Many thanks to the plant employees who worked hard to make this a fun day for the students and teachers.
