On Wednesday, September 20, eight students from Mrs. Locher’s Principles of Engineering class attended a field trip to Bigane Paving/Ogden Avenue Materials in Chicago. This fourth-generation family-owned business is run by Anne Bigane Wilson, Principal Meg Bigane’s sister.

Mrs. Wilson, who received her Civil Engineering degrees from Purdue University, began the day by detailing her experience as a woman engineer in the construction field, a history of the company, and an explanation of the asphalt manufacturing process. She and her assistant Gillian gave the students a tour of the asphalt manufacturing plant, allowing them to follow the manufacturing process from beginning to end. The girls learned about the different types of asphalt the facility manufactures and the quality control testing that is required on a daily basis. The fact that it was an unusually hot September day, only added to the experience. The class gained a new found respect for how hard it is to work in an asphalt manufacture facility in 90-plus degree heat!

After the field trip, senior Alex DeFrancesco commented: “It was inspiring to see hard work and determination Mrs. Bigane Wilson exhibited, as well as, refreshing to see a woman running a construction company.”