An EAST Project From Star City High School The project’s goal is to remove metal and debris from our local state park lake, Cane Creek State Park and learn about the possible historical significance of items we are removing from the area.
H
ave you ever explored a place or begun a project somewhere and realized that there is more to this than people realize? For two students in EAST at Star City High School, it all started at Cane Creek State Park, where they spent much of their time boating and fishing. These students, John Anthony Logan and Ty Grayson, noticed lots of metal debris that washed up on the boat ramp or shore at the park. With a Magnet Fishing Kit in hand, the two students worked together to remove the lake’s metal debris. Many items were found at the bottom of the lake, but it was part of a railroad system that made the students dig deeper. According to their research, Star City has not had a functioning railroad system since 1959. After learning this, the students devised a plan to clean up the lake, learn about their findings, and document its history.
Where did the project idea originate?
MEET THE TEAM <<<<< >> John Anthony Logan GRADE: 11 YEARS IN EAST: 3
>> Ty Grayson
GRADE: 11 YEARS IN EAST: 1
>> Facilitator: LAUREN WHITE
John Anthony: We are both avid outdoorsmen and spend many days at Cane Creek State Park, where we boat and fish. Ty: We noticed the amount of metal debris that has washed up over time and how it blocks the boating ramps and shore. Lauren: I encouraged the boys to do a little more research to see what they could find out about the lake, and it has been fascinating. We found out the lake was purchased through eminent domain in the 1970s from farmers and their families and that the lake is bordered by Bayou Bartholomew, which is the longest bayou in the entire world.
