It all started when teacher Justin Mutrux looked back on his own school days and realized there were years that he didn't remember at all. So, he started looking for new projects to add to the standard curriculum of English, math, history and science. Grades five through eight visit the Current River and perform tests, such as measuring flow, analyzing chemical content and identifying animals.
Older kids help the younger ones learn the skills.
Besides practicing scientific method and using biology and chemistry in their work, the students write reports and learn about the river's history. They also use math skills when they take measurements, and even when they read topographical maps for places they will visit. In 1989, the class began producing the Cherry Street Journal. They sell ads to finance production and mail copies to everyone in the local zip codes. The Journal carries articles about the classroom, school and the rural community.