Tulip
Garden Update: March 19, 2004
This Week's Tulip Data Although some gardeners have had to get out the snow shovel this week, Spring officially begins this weekend! Take time this week to appreciate the amazing effects of the Sun's energy. We have an incredible 38 more gardens have emerged in the past week. Has Spring sprung at your garden site? Snowstorms and Tulips
How will cold temperatures and snow affect the emerging tulips? As the tulips grow and the sun heats up the Earth this spring watch your plants carefully.
Keep your notes and observations in your Science Journal and see if you can answer these questions by the end of the school year. Pattern Puzzler Study this snapshot of the tulip map. Collect the facts that you already know about the tulip project and give this question a try:
(To respond to this question, please follow the instructions below.) Predicting Springs Arrival on 2 Continents In the Fall of 2003 we welcomed 2 gardens planted near 60 N latitude. Both were planted to be included in the International Plant Study following the rules for site selection and planting. Although located at about the same latitude, these 2 gardens are nowhere near each other… they are located on separate continents! Which garden will be the first to emerge in the spring?
What kinds of information will help you make an accurate prediction? Both
of these planting sites are on or very near bodies of water. Haines, Alaska
is just interior from the Gulf of Alaska and Espoo, Finland is on an inlet
of the Baltic Sea. Try
This: Hands-On! Create your Own Continents and Currents
Comparing: Spring 2004 and 2003 Each spring we are delighted and amazed with the effects of the sun's energy. A favorite quote this spring has been, "It seems unusually warm." And indeed, in some places, we have seen temperatures above average for up to a week at a time so far this spring. We also have witnessed some unusual snowfall amounts through the course of the winter months. Will this affect the tulips? Let's compare some facts to help us to find out. Gardens
Emerged: Gardens
Blooming: Sharpen your pencils (or power-up your calculators) and find out how this year's tulips compare to last year's.
(To respond to this question, please follow the instructions below.) Teacher Tip: Native Plants and Climate: A Seasonal Study of the Rhythms of Nature
Teri Bickmore, Midland, MI, shared a tip this spring about planting a Journey North tulip garden with her lunch-hour Science Club. Now she offers another great idea to schools and classrooms all over North America to extend the concept of the tulip study. The Native Plant project focuses primarily on native plants and growing degree-days. As a component of the JASON Project, Teri created this unit and offers it to all the Journey North participants. Thanks so much, Teri! Teri Bickmore's Native Plant Unit: Uzbekistan Tulips: Discussion of CQ #5 Every now and then we have the chance to think "outside the box." This is what scientists really like!Tashkent is located in a wide river valley surrounded by mountains. How will this geography affect the tulips? Kara and Tiff have a prediction. Here is what they wrote,
Think
Small, then Think Big Because we are not sure exactly where the garden is located we can only make a rough prediction about whether they will emerge before, after, or at the same time as others planted along the 37 degree latitude line. Will Tiff and Kara prove to be correct? We will pass on any new information as it comes in - hot from Uzbekistan! How to Respond to Today's Challenge Questions:
1. Address
an e-mail message to: jn-challenge-tulip@learner.org Copyright
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