USU Science Unwrapped Embarks on Great Salt Lake in New Series
In concert with USU's 2015 'Year of Water,’ Science Unwrapped launches its new ‘Great Salt Lake Today’ series, Friday, Jan. 16, at 7 p.m. in the Eccles Science Learning Center auditorium. Each gathering is free and all ages are welcome.
Dubbed “America’s Dead Sea,” the Great Salt Lake is anything but. Seventy-five miles long and nearly 35 miles wide, the salt water remnant of ancient Lake Bonneville teems with aquatic life and serves as a critical flyway for millions of migratory birds. Yet the lake, ringed by an extensive network of wetlands and adjacent to Utah’s population and industrial center, is vulnerable to development pressures.
Utah State University’s Science Unwrapped explores this enigmatic Utah gem in its new spring 2015 “Great Salt Lake Today” series. Hosted by USU’s College of Science, the series, which complements Utah State’s 2015 “Year of Water” initiative, begins Jan. 16. Inquiring minds of all ages are invited to join in the journey as scholars from a variety of disciplines discuss the massive lake and provide hands-on learning opportunities.
“We welcome our community to experience this fascinating series,” says Nancy Huntly, Science Unwrapped chair, director of USU’s Ecology Center, professor in the Department of Biology and co-director of USU’s ARTsySTEM. “Our presentations offer something for everyone.”
At a glance, upcoming “Great Salt Lake Today” presentations include:
- Friday, Jan. 16, Great Salt Lake: Stranger in Utah’s Backyard -- Limnologist Wayne Wurtsbaugh, professor in USU’s Department of Watershed Sciences and the USU Ecology Center
- Friday, Feb. 20, Mighty Phragmites: Managing GSL Wetlands Invaders -- Wetlands ecologist Karin Kettenring, associate professor in USU’s Department of Watershed Sciences and the USU Ecology Center
- Friday, March 20, Salty Metaphors: Land Art of the Great Salt Lake -- Artist Mark Lee Koven, assistant professor in USU’s Department of Art + Design and co-director of USU’s ARTsySTEM
- Friday, April 17, Going to Extremes: Exploring Extremophiles in the Great Salt Lake -- Biologist Bonnie Baxter, professor in Westminster College’s Department of Biology and director of the Great Salt Lake Institute
Each presentation begins at 7 p.m. in the Emert Auditorium, Room 130, of the Eccles Science Learning Center on campus. Admission is free.
Initiated by the college in February 2009, Science Unwrapped introduces science in a relaxed, entertaining manner. Presentations begin with a brief lecture, followed by learning activities and refreshments. Each event draws several hundred guests, with attendees ranging from preschoolers to senior citizens.
For more information, call 435-797-3517, visit the Science Unwrapped website or view the ‘Science Unwrapped at USU’ Facebook page.
Related links:
“USU Awarded NEA Grant, Matching Funds to Integrate Art and Science,” Utah State Today
Contact: Nancy Huntly, 435-797-2555, nancy.huntly@usu.edu
Writer: Mary-Ann Muffoletto, 435-797-3517, maryann.muffoletto@usu.edu
Entering its sixth year, Science Unwrapped features family friendly presentations and hands-on learning activities all ages can enjoy together.
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