Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/994766
di ss o lv ed s o dium s alt s of chlori d e s , carbonates and sulfates. The water is extremely salty because the water has no way out of the lake basin. Students repli- cate that with the following recipe: One gallon of pure water, add 18 tablespoons of baking soda, 10 tablespoons of table salt, eight teaspoons of Epsom salt, and a pinch of borax or laundry detergent. It's not a perfect replication, because the lake water contains trace amounts of other chemicals. But it's close enough. To create mini-tufas, students add this water to dissolved calcium chloride, which results in tiny tufas forming at the bottom of their containers. " W hat do th e tufas feel li ke?" ask s Garcia. Students dip th eir f ingers into th e c o n t a i n e r s a n d re p ly t h a t t h e tu f a s feel slimy, slippery and crusty all at the same time. One student compares them to feta cheese. e teachers then provide actual lake water, and students perform the same experiments. They find no dif ference between the replicated lake water and real lake water results. During the lab, Garcia and Silliker ask students why it is so important to restore a lake that was near death in their iso- lated mountain community. "We don't want salt to go into the air, because it makes the air bad," says a sev- enth-grader. " We don't want to breathe bad air." (Toxic dust storms originating from dry lake bed areas in Mono Basin are among the worst in the nation.) In just a short time, students have been able to study geology, chemistry, volcanic eruptions, Native American culture, wild- life, and the politics of fighting pollution, without so much as leaving their imme- diate area. "Teaching here is a scientist's dream," says Silliker. "We definitely live in a place that's like no other." You don't have to take students to Mono Basin for them to study it, because they c a n v i ew t h e l a k e , w i l d l i f e a n d t u f a s online by connecting with the Mono Lake Committee. (See photo of Nora Livingston and Bartshe Miller providing a broadcast to students in another state on page 29.) Also, committee members and volunteers conduct in-person field trips and weekend seminars for teachers and students. To learn more, visit monolake.org or call 760-647-6595. 32 cta.org Feature FIND YOUR DREAM HOME AND SAVE Provident Credit Union's Mortgage Program 1. Relationship pricing credit of the additional $250 off closing costs is based on you having one of the following Provident products: home equity loan/line of credit, auto/boat/RV/motorcycle loan, checking with direct deposit, or certificate/IRA. 2. Single family/owner-occupied homes and second homes in California only. Other restrictions may apply. Membership required. Subject to final approval. 3. Pre-approval and closing guarantees are based on a preliminary review of borrower's credit information only and is not a commitment to lend. The closing guarantee is subject to verification of the information submitted on borrower's application, in addition to borrower's property eligibility. Fraudulent or purposely misleading information provided by borrower will invalidate the guarantee. NMLS #412725 © 1/18 PCU • Exclusive .125% mortgage rate discount for CTA members • $100 discount on a standard mortgage loan for CTA members • Receive $250 towards closing costs from Provident Credit Union 1 • Exclusive Movable ® Mortgage 2 • Experienced and knowledgeable Provident Mortgage Consultants to guide you • Power Funding 10-Day Guarantee 3 (800) 632-4600 providentcu.org/cta Endorsed by: ENROLL IN ONLINE BANKING TO RECEIVE PAYMENT ALERTS, CHECK YOUR BALANCE, TRANSFER FUNDS, AND PAY YOUR MORTGAGE LOAN. STEP 3: Find your dream home and SAVE! STEP 1: Get pre-approved for a Provident mortgage loan. Three ways to apply: 1. Call (800) 632-4600 2. Visit providentcu.org/cta 3. Visit your local branch STEP 2: Connect with an experienced Provident Mortgage Consultant by visiting providentcu.org.