# Spaceward Bound Pavilion Lake 2008

[Goal:]{.underline} To help local students and teachers learn about
analogue science and exploration through a relevant field-based
educational activity.

[Activity Date:]{.underline} June 27, 2008

[Activity Overview:]{.underline}

-   20 teachers/Band councilors and students (min age of 13) from the
    Pavilion Lake region will be guided by Dr. Chris McKay (NASA Ames
    Research Center) through a 1-day field course at Pavilion Lake. The
    day will include snorkeling in Pavilion Lake with Dr. McKay, to look
    at shallow water microbialite fields. A diver will provide
    underwater support to the snorkeling group.

-   The group will also dissect a microbialite and examine it under a
    microscope to observe microscopic communities living on the
    structures. Students and teachers will use scientifically rigorous
    techniques to deal with the microbialite.

-   The activity will run from approximately 10am-3pm. Lunch will be
    provided.

[Teacher/Band Counsilor and student information:]{.underline}

-   While swimming proficiency is highly recommended, it is not
    required. Those students who are not comfortable in water are also
    welcome to participate.

-   Snorkels, masks, and life jackets will be provided

-   Recommended items to bring:

    -   Towels

    -   Sunscreen

    -   Sunglasses

    -   Swim suits

    -   Change of clothes

    -   Pencil and paper

    -   Camera

[Contacts:]{.underline}

Larry Ormandy, Ts\'kw\'aylaxw First Nations,

Mickey Macri, Pavilion Lake Community

Patricia Montgomery, NASA Ames Research Center

[Background on the Pavilion Lake Research Project (PLRP):]{.underline}

The PLRP is a NASA-UBC led multi-disciplinary initiative (see
[www.pavilionlake.com](http://www.pavilionlake.com/) for more
information). Project members have been conducting science and
exploration activities in the Pavilion Lake region since 2004. The
overarching goal of this research is to develop an understanding of the
mechanisms of formation of the unique microbialites in the lake and the
potential for associated biosignatures. This understanding will
contribute to astrobiology research by providing the basis for
interpretation of similar organo-sedimentary structures either on early
earth (e.g. stromatolites) or potentially on other planets. The
following is a list of the on-going PLRP science objectives:

1.  General Limnology of Pavilion Lake and surrounding water bodies

    -   Chemical and Physical characteristics

    -   Stable Isotopic (C, O, H) characterization; carbon-sources;
        groundwater-provenance

    -   Water budget and balance

2.  Microbial influence on carbonate formation

-   Isotopic tracers of inorganic and organic carbon sources

-   Microscopy and molecular characterization

3.  Microbialite mapping

-   Lateral and Vertical variability

-   Correlation with environmental factors (e.g. groundwater inputs,
    light)

4.  Contextual comparison to other microbialite/carbonate rich lakes.

5.  Determine the spectral (visible to thermal infrared) and erosional
    properties of the carbonates.

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Pavilion Lake microbialites

## Biography of Dr. Christopher McKay

Dr. Christopher P. McKay, Planetary Scientist with the Space Science
Division of NASA Ames.   Chris received his Ph.D. in AstroGeophysics
from the University of Colorado in 1982 and has been a research
scientist with the NASA Ames Research Center since that time. His
current research focuses on the evolution of the solar system and the
origin of life. He is also actively involved in planning for future Mars
missions including human exploration.  Chris been involved in research
in Mars-like environments on Earth, traveling to the Antarctic dry
valleys, Siberia, the Canadian Arctic, and the Atacama desert to study
life in these Mars-like environments.  His was a co-I on the Titan
Huygen\'s probe in 2005, the Mars Phoenix Lander mission that just
launched, and the Mars Science Lander mission slated for launch in
2009. 

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