Dawson County school administrators recently got the chance to see where some of the nation's best military planes are manufactured.

The Dawson County School District administrative leadership team was recently invited to tour the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics facility in Marietta.

"The Marietta facility is responsible for the assembly of the C-130 Hercules transport, as well as modernization support of the C-5 Galaxy transport, P-3 Orion, and F-35 Lightening II," said Janice Darnell, Director of Student Support. "Mrs. Shan Cooper, vice president and general manager of the Marietta facility, and her leadership team visited and toured the school district earlier in the year."

Darnell said that the two tours were part of a goal to establish a partnership between the school district and Lockheed Martin.

"A partnership with a cutting edge international corporation will assist the Dawson County School District as it moves toward creating more science, technology, engineering and math - STEM - opportunities for students," she said. "Students would be able to participate in classroom discussions and question/answer sessions with practicing scientists, engineers and researchers via an online learning platform."

The partnership is designed to allow the district to help its advanced and graduating students toward a faster career.

"The discussions that begin in a Dawson County classroom this year could result in a future internship or career with this innovative company or within a similar industry," Darnell said. "The school district is very pleased to be able to provide another innovative learning opportunity for its students."