El Education: Is Lake Merritt Worth 198 Million Dollars?

6th grade students from Oakland, California, created this report to show their answer to the question: "What do the dissolved oxygen levels tell us about the water quality of Lake Merritt?" Students explored this question to collect information about the proposed 198 million dollar bond issue to clean and protect Lake Merritt. Students studied the history of the lake, its recreational value, and its overall health. Students interviewed people from around the lake to find out if they supported the bond issue and why. As an indicator of water quality, students measured dissolved oxygen at different sites over the course of nine weeks. Students worked with local experts, including the lake's "keeper" and a scientist who taught them how to measure dissolved oxygen.