Soap Lake Conservancy explains the lake to visiting students

On the Shores of Soap Lake Monday, members of the Soap Lake Conservancy shared the secrets of the lake with sixty curious fourth and fifth grade students from Lockwood Elementary School of Bothell, Washington. The car caravan of students, teachers and parents stopped on the East Beach of Soap Lake to study the unusual qualities and life forms of Soap Lake water.

Local conservancy member Dwight Hoy brought a special bucket of Soap Lake water to show the students. The bucket contained a concentrated skim sample of tiny critters from the upper layer of the lake. Hoy, a marine biologist explained the role that the red colored brine shrimp play in the life cycles within the lake. Frieda Sebok, Frances Jensen and John Glassco of the conservancy, Linda Hillman from the local school system and Denise Keegan of the local chamber of commerce shared information on the history and geology of the area. The students then, under the guidance of teacher Marty Peet, performed various chemical tests on samples of the water. About half of the student group was from Peet,s "PACE" class. This special class involves parents actively in the classroom and in outside learning.

Next, the students took a break on the plaground and beach before embarking on the next leg of their journey. This two day field trip to the Columbia Basin happens every two years including the stop at the lake. According to teacher Ann Hayes, the visit exposes the students to the mysteries of the desert environment. Beginning at the Ginkgo Petrified Forest at Vantage, the group heads to the wild horse monument at Vantage, explores the mysterious water of Soap Lake, and drives to Camp Delaney near Dry Falls for an overnight stay. On the second day, the caravan travels to Grand Coulee Dam and other points along Highway 17 before heading home.