Students as Scientists
As scientists gather data and later try to make sense of (interpret) it, they look closely for patterns or relationships that might "tell" them something significant. They use their imaginations and think logically about this new information and relate it to what they already know and to others' findings. Then they make an overall statement or explanation. They also think about how findings connect to larger ideas. The data might offer little help in answering a question or supporting a hypothesis, but could suggest other questions or avenues of research.

The tulip garden project wraps up by the end of May. Like actual scientists, your students have made predictions, interpreted maps, read and discussed slideshows, responded to journal and map questions, asked their own questions, and dug into lessons and handouts. These offer you a rich window into their thinking and abilities.

As you review students' products and your notes, the following assessment tools can help you document what they've gained. Also consider having students use these to assess their own progress.

• Making Predictions Using Data (Reading Maps)
  (This is a good tool to use as you review the map question handouts students completed with each update).

Student Projects and Products

Consider using a student project or presentation to wrap up the Tulip Garden unit. We encourage you to co-develop or share a list of reasonable expectations for each project so students know what targets they’re shooting for. Here are some examples:

• Sample Display

  Ads or Travel Brochures - Challenge students to create an ad or brochure to entice more gardeners to join the tulip test garden project. Students must “sell” the project by describing how to get started selecting a site, planting, recording, map reading, and predicting. Another example: have small groups create print or video ads to persuade people to plant tulip test gardens.
  
  
• Displays That “Tell a Story” - Have small groups apply what they’ve learned and create bulletin board panels or a collage depicting changes that happened during the spring season (for example see: Follow Spring's Journey North).
  
  
• Student Portfolios