A group of University of Illinois Springfield students were using last year's oil spill in Washington Park as a teaching tool Wednesday at the 24th annual Earth Stewardship Day.
More than 900 fourth-graders from across Sangamon County attended the event, which was held a the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The UIS students were among the many groups who presented 20-minute hands-on lessons for the kids.
"They are so enthusiastic," UIS junior Salina English said. "That's what's been so amazing about it. We don't want this day to end because it's been so amazing. These kids are so much smarter than people give them credit for. They want to learn, and they want to help in any way possible."
On Sept. 8, a fire tore through the Merlin 200,000 Mile Shop at 1430 Wabash Ave. During the fire, state-approved plastic containers of oil melted, which released 500 to 1,000 gallons of oil into the city's stormwater drain system.
The story was reported by The State Journal-Register on May 8, 2015.
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