Outdoor Geology Laboratory

Wake Tech’s Outdoor Geology Laboratory (OGL) is a unique learning environment – a collection of rock boulders representing North Carolina’s varied geological makeup. This hands-on laboratory, named “Mountains to the Sea Outdoor Geology Lab Pathway,” includes 13 boulders collected by Wake Tech geology faculty from 11 different quarry sites across the state. A 14th boulder was later added to the Scott Northern Wake Campus OGL when the foundation for building NH was being dug and the workers struck rock. An Outdoor Geology Laboratory was installed at both the Scott Northern Wake and Southern Wake campuses, providing students with hands-on learning experiences to reinforce classroom education in geology. The rock boulders were a generous gift from Martin Marietta Materials.

Scott Northern Wake Campus OGL

Southern Wake Campus OGL

Virtual tour

Check out the interactive map of the quarry sites across North Carolina and the types of rock boulders each contains.

OGL creation and dedication

Initial planning for the Outdoor Geology Laboratory began in 2011. Wake Tech geologists traveled with Martin Marietta Materials geologists to 11 quarries across the state and selected 13 unique boulders. Discover facts about the OGL creation and the generous gift from Martin Marietta Materials.