Wednesday at Luminant Teacher Academy

This morning we took the mine tour. One word, AWESOME!!! The drag line was almost beyond description. We were in the cab as the operator moved 100 tons at a time. WOW!! We were able to collect some coal samples to take back with us. Imagine teachers digging in the dirt (soil :) ) and having some serious fun. We had a workshop on different environmental issues that the company has to deal with. We reviewed the hydrological cycle and discussed the groundwater/aquifer and how they affect mining. We had an awesome demonstration on aquifer contamination and on convection currents, and getting a "flue" to take home to our students. We next studied geophysical logs and how they use them to identify the different layers and what is contained in the layers to prepare for future mining. The last experience of the day was working with a polymer that to put it simply helped clean water by flocking... all the gunk ended on the bottom of a jar of water and the top water was "clean". Hazel has been taking really good care of us all week with some awesome food and some down home charm. Several of us have been spending some time around the conference center picking up samples of petrified wood and other rocks in the area. I did have a chance to finally go swimming at the hotel pool and sit in the hot tub. It was a nice break but I am looking forward to the reclamation tour tomorrow.