1999 Trip
The 1999 trip page includes the original itinerary, student project descriptions, and the expanded Mono Lake photo archive slideshow.
Introduction
This field trip was the culmination of a year-long interdisciplinary project about water and its effect on the environment. Students studied Native Americans indigenous to the Mono Lake area, researched writing and authors connected to the region, analyzed water samples, and checked temperature and salinity.
Upon arrival at Mono Lake, students worked with a guide for a South Tufa tour and a canoe tour. The guide provided first-hand knowledge about the Mono Lake ecological community. Students also toured the U.S. Forest Service Mono Basin Visitor Center and the Mono Lake Committee Bookstore.
Video cameras, digital cameras, still cameras, and journals were used to document student findings. Back in the classroom, collaborative groups developed a video documentary, PowerPoint presentation, web page, and museum display to demonstrate their understanding.
Vision
The Mono Lake Living Lab Project supported students in achieving San Dimas High School Expected School-wide Learning Results. Through the project, students learned the value of Mono Lake, its connection to Los Angeles water, and the difference individual action can make in preserving natural and historical resources.
The original site framed students as future stewards of precious commodities: water, history, ecosystems, and community knowledge.
Objectives
- Use technology to access, process, present, and apply ideas and information.
- Acquire laboratory, mathematical, and research skills that promote active learning.
- Build information literacy, computer literacy, and collaborative skills.
- Understand relationships at Mono Lake and the role people can play in protecting water resources.
- Meet San Dimas High School Expected Student Learning Results through completion of the project.
Interdisciplinary Connections
English
Students explored past and present authors while developing an appreciation for Mono Lake. Selected titles included Storm Over Mono Lake, Cadillac Desert, Water and Power, Pioneers of the Mono Basin, Man From Mono, and Dwellings.
Social Science
Students created artifacts, studied the culture of Mono Lake's early inhabitants, and examined water politics through conflicts among urban, agricultural, and environmental interests.
Math
Students role-played as Mono Lake park guides during a unit on models of variation and growth, describing ecosystem features and predicting how the lake might change.
Science
Students studied water quality, geography of water, watersheds, and the environment as they developed models, posed problems, solved problems, and produced knowledge.
Trips
The Mono Lake Living Lab grew through multiple field trips and student publishing projects. These trip pages preserve the itinerary, student work, photographs, and archive materials from each year.
2000 Trip
The 2000 trip tribute includes day-by-day cards, student journal excerpts, writings, pictures, and the APPA project overview.