Building Bridges: Marathon Petroleum and Oltman Middle School celebrate 15 years of STEM collaboration

Community News

St. Paul Park, Minnesota, foundation
Employee volunteers holding a bridge design.
(L to R) St. Paul Park refinery employee volunteers Ryan Gorman (over-the-shoulder), Ben Hidani and Lowell Dixon posing with one of the bridge designs.
  • For the past 15 years, employees from Marathon Petroleum’s St. Paul Park refinery in Minnesota have partnered with Oltman Middle School for their annual Math & Science Night.
  • The event, which began in 2007, brings together middle school students and volunteers, including those from Marathon Petroleum, for a full day of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) activities.
  • Marathon Petroleum has helped organize the event since its inception and provides the school with a $5,000 grant annually.
For the past 15 years, employees from Marathon Petroleum’s St. Paul Park refinery in Minnesota have partnered with Oltman Middle School in Cottage Grove for the school's annual Math & Science Night.
Students and employee volunteers looking at a bridge
A crowd gathers and watches one of the student-built bridges collapse during the weight-loading competition portion of the event.
This year, Marathon Petroleum employee volunteers played a pivotal role in the bridge-building activity, a hands-on project designed to connect students and their families with the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Students were challenged to (literally) build a bridge together, which reinforced the event’s focus on teamwork and problem-solving.
 
“This activity truly tested our students and taught them that although something may be difficult, if you put your mind to it and work together, anything is possible,” said Teresa Willkom, an Algebra and Geometry teacher at Oltman.
 
Jeremy Allan, Refining Engineer Supervisor at the St. Paul Park facility, has been actively involved in this all-day event since it first began in 2007. 
 
“It’s really incredible to think we’ve been doing this for over a decade now,” Allan said. “Even more exciting, this was one of the largest and most energetic groups of volunteers from the refinery to participate in Math & Science Night that I can remember.”
 
The event has grown and changed over the years, but Allan noted that one thing has remained constant.
 
“Although each year presents its challenges, we always find a way to pull it off, and for that, I’m extremely grateful to everyone who has played a role in our success over the years.”
 
“This activity truly tested our students and taught them that although something may be difficult, if you put your mind to it and work together, anything is possible.”
Two students and the bridge they designed
Two Oltman Middle School students showing off their bridge ahead of Math & Science Night.
The completed bridges were put on display and tested in the school’s gymnasium for family and friends to enjoy. 
 
“This event means a lot to us and seeing what these future leaders accomplish each year is the most rewarding part,” said Allan. 
 
Over the years, some of those students have returned to take part in the event as volunteers and mentors. 
 
In addition to coordinating and providing volunteers for the event each year, Marathon Petroleum supports the event with a $5,000 grant annually.
Two students at a table with a bridge project
Oltman Middle School students working on their bridge. 
Employee volunteers in the gym
St. Paul Park refinery volunteers for Math & Science Night: (L to R) Rebecca Hadowanetz, Jeremy Allan, Josh Pieh, Luke Reich, Ryan Gorman, Lowell Dixon, Ben Hidani, Mark Keiper, Lily Anderson.