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Building on the
Pavilion Lake Research Project (PLRP), a University of British
Columbia effort supported by CSA and NASA, to conduct science
and exploration of this Canadian lake; Spaceward Bound will this
year investigate the potential of a full expedition in ensuing
years. On June 27, 2008, 5 teachers and 10 third through fifth
grades students will participate in a mini-expedition.
The mission of Spaceward Bound is to train
the next generation of space explorers by having students and
teachers participate in the exploration of scientifically interesting
but remote and extreme environments on Earth as analogs for human
exploration of the Moon and Mars. Spaceward Bound Field Expeditions
involve teachers in authentic fieldwork so that they can bring
that experience back to their classrooms and assist in the development
of curriculum related to human exploration of remote and extreme
environments.
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On April 18th 2001 the bottom of Pavilion Lake was
formally added to Marble Canyon Provincial Park to protect the
unique and fragile structures on the bottom of the lake. These
structures, called microbialites, were likely produced by microbial
communities starting 11,000 years ago. Believed to be similar
to some of the earliest life forms on Earth, this lake is a potential
window into ancient ecosystems on Earth and possibly early Mars. |
Pavilion Lake Profile
Interesting
readings: Pavilion Lake, Canada
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