Students explore seasonal change by watching plant growth in their own gardens — and in gardens across the hemisphere.

This study supports scientific observation, data collection, and student-directed inquiry. Students learn the importance of establishing and following a scientific protocol.

In addition to planting an official JN garden according to protocol, students can experiment to answer their own questions. They can vary the official planting protocol, design their own protocol, and see what happens.

Predictions are an important part of the inquiry process. Students explore the relationship between climate, weather and plant life as they monitor conditions and adjust predictions for when their tulips will emerge and bloom.

When tulips finally emerge and bloom students announce that spring has arrived in their part of the world. Citizen science involves everyday people in the process of scientific research. Each test garden contributes scientific information about connections between plant growth and climate.