National Science Education Standards

Journey North's Tulip project helps bring a wide range of National Science Education Standards to life. Browse this chart by content area and then link directly to information and activities that reflect your teaching goals. As you review the activities, consider how you can adapt them to your unique context and students' abilities.

A. Science as Inquiry
B. Physical Science

C. Life Science
D. Earth and Space Science
E. Science and Technology
F. Science in Personal and Social Perspectives
G. History and Nature of Science

National Science Education Standard
Journey North Tulip Activity or Lesson

A. SCIENCE AS INQUIRY
ABILITIES NECESSARY TO DO SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY
(K-4) (5-8)

Ask a question about objects, organisms, events. (K-4) Deciding Where to Plant the Garden
Predicting the Arrival of Spring
Tulips as Tools to Gauge Spring's Arrival
Going to Extremes: The Annual Microclimate Challenge
Take-Home Tulip Garden
Old Bulbs, New Tricks
What If . . .? Time to Experiment
Data Recorders for Your Research Questions
Temperature Experiments: Starting with a Good Question
Seasons and Cycles: Indoor Bulb Experiments
Hurrying Spring: How to Force Paperwhites in Your Classroom
What's Happening Underground? Taking the Soil’s Temperature
Celery Microclimate Experiment
Sun Power: Graphing the Effects of the Sun's Heat on Plants
The Days They Are A'Changing: Learning to Be Observers
What Does Blooming Mean to a Tulip?
Plan and conduct a simple investigation. (K-4) Deciding Where to Plant the Garden
Going to Extremes: The Annual Microclimate Challenge
What If . . .? Time to Experiment
Data Recorders for Your Research Questions
Seasons and Cycles: Indoor Bulb Experiments

Tulips & Temperatures Underground
Celery Microclimate Experiment
Sun Power: Graphing the Effects of the Sun's Heat on Plants
Don't Come Closer! How Plants Protect Their Own Space
What Does Blooming Mean to a Tulip?
Employ simple equipment/tools to gather data and extend senses. (K-4) Deciding Where to Plant the Garden
Understanding Microclimates: A Matter of Degrees
Going to Extremes: The Annual Microclimate Challenge
Old Bulbs, New Tricks
Data Recorders for Your Research Questions
Setting Up a Temperature Recorder in the Garden
Seasons and Cycles: Indoor Bulb Experiments
Tulips & Temperatures Underground
Spring Fever: Tulips, Temperatures and the Greening of Spring
Sun Power: Graphing the Effects of the Sun's Heat on Plants
The Days They Are A'Changing: Learning to Be Observers
Use data to conduct a reasonable explanation. (K-4) Predicting the Arrival of Spring
Tulips as Tools to Gauge Spring's Arrival
Understanding Microclimates: A Matter of Degrees
Tulips & Temperatures Underground

Celery Microclimate Experiment

Snow Blankets the Earth: How Does it Affect Bulbs?
Hobos in the Garden: Reading Temperature Graphs
Spring Fever: Tulips, Temperatures and the Greening of Spring
Does Spring Journey North? Mapping the Green Wave of Spring
Sun Power: Graphing the Effects of the Sun's Heat on Plants

The Days They Are A'Changing: Learning to Be Observers

Don't Come Closer! How Plants Protect Their Own Space

Communicate investigations and explanations. (K-4)

Take-Home Tulip Garden
Identify questions that can be answered through scientific investigations. (5-8) Predicting the Arrival of Spring
What If . . .? Time to Experiment
Data Recorders for Your Research Questions
Temperature Experiments: Starting with a Good Question
Seasons and Cycles: Indoor Bulb Experiments
Hurrying Spring: How to Force Paperwhites in Your Classroom
Tulips & Temperatures Underground
Design and conduct a scientific investigation. (5-8) What If . . .? Time to Experiment
Data Recorders for Your Research Questions
Seasons and Cycles: Indoor Bulb Experiments
Tulips & Temperatures Underground
Use appropriate tools and techniques to gather, analyze, and interpret data. (5-8) Understanding Microclimates: A Matter of Degrees
Data Recorders for Your Research Questions

Setting Up a Temperature Recorder in the Garden

Spring Fever: Tulips, Temperatures and the Greening of Spring
The Days They Are A'Changing: Learning to Be Observers
Develop descriptions, explanations, predictions, and models using evidence. (5-8) Predicting the Arrival of Spring
Understanding Microclimates: A Matter of Degrees
Reasons for Seasons: Exploring the Astronomy of Spring
Spring's Journey North: Mapping the Green Wave of Spring
The Days They Are A'Changing: Learning to Be Observers

Don't Come Closer! How Plants Protect Their Own Space

Emergence Early or Late? What's the Range, Median, Mean?
Think critically and logically to make relationship between evidence and explanations. (5-8) Reasons for Seasons: Exploring the Astronomy of Spring
Celery Microclimate Experiment
Sun Power: Graphing the Effects of the Sun's Heat on Plants
The Days They Are A'Changing: Learning to Be Observers
Use math in all aspects of scientific inquiry. (5-8) Tulips as Tools to Gauge Spring's Arrival
Understanding Microclimates: A Matter of Degrees

Tulips & Temperatures Underground

Hobos in the Garden: Reading Temperature Graphs
Spring Fever: Tulips, Temperatures and the Greening of Spring
Emergence Early or Late? What's the Range, Median, Mean?
UNDERSTANDINGS ABOUT SCIENCE INQUIRY (K-4) (5-8)
Science investigations involve asking and answering a question and comparing that to what scientists already know about the world. (K-4) Predicting the Arrival of Spring
Take-Home Tulip Garden
Temperature Experiments: Starting with a Good Question
What Does Blooming Mean to a Tulip?
Scientists use different kinds of investigations depending on the questions they are trying to answer. Types of investigations include describing objects, events, and organisms; classifying them; and doing a fair test (experimenting). (K-4) Tulips as Tools to Gauge Spring's Arrival
Going to Extremes: The Annual Microclimate Challenge
Take-Home Tulip Garden
Old Bulbs, New Tricks
What If . . .? Time to Experiment
Seasons and Cycles: Indoor Bulb Experiments
Tulips & Temperatures Underground
Celery Microclimate Experiment
Don't Come Closer! How Plants Protect Their Own Space
What Does Blooming Mean to a Tulip?
Simple instruments, such as magnifiers, thermometers, and rulers, provide more information than scientists obtain using only their senses. (K-4) Data Recorders for Your Research Questions
Setting Up a Temperature Recorder in the Garden
Tulips & Temperatures Underground
Snow Blankets the Earth: Learning from Snow Day Activities
Hobos in the Garden: Reading Temperature Graphs
Sun Power: Graphing the Effects of the Sun's Heat on Plants
Scientists develop explanations using observations (evidence) and what they already know about the world. Good explanations are based on evidence from investigations. (K-4) Sun Power: Graphing the Effects of the Sun's Heat on Plants
Spontaneous Generation? A New World of Life Forms
Scientists review and ask questions about the results of other scientists' work. (K-4) .Spontaneous Generation? A New World of Life Forms
Different kinds of questions suggest different kinds of scientific investigations. Some involve observing and describing objects, organisms, or events; some involve collecting specimens; some involve experiments; some involve seeking more information; some involve discovery of new objects and phenomena; and some involve making models. (5-8) What If . . .? Time to Experiment
Seasons and Cycles: Indoor Bulb Experiments
Don't Come Closer! How Plants Protect Their Own Space
Current scientific knowledge and understanding guide scientific investigations. (5-8) Spontaneous Generation? A New World of Life Forms
Science advances through legitimate skepticism. Asking questions and querying other scientists' explanations is part of scientific inquiry. Scientists evaluate the explanations proposed by others by examining evidence, comparing evidence, identifying faulty reasoning, pointing out statements that go beyond evidence, and suggesting alternative explanations for the same observations. (5-8) Spontaneous Generation? A New World of Life Forms
Mathematics is important in all aspects of scientific inquiry. (5-8) Hobos in the Garden: Reading Temperature Graphs

B. PHYSICAL SCIENCE
PROPERTIES OF OBJECTS AND MATERIALS (K-4) (5-8)

Objects have observable properties, including size, weight, shape, color, temperature, and the ability to react with other substances. Those properties can be measured using tools, such as rulers, balances, and thermometers. (K-4)

Tulips as Tools to Gauge Spring's Arrival
Understanding Microclimates: A Matter of Degrees
Tulips & Temperatures Underground
Snow Blankets the Earth: Learning from Snow Day Activities

(And all others involving measurement)

Materials can exist in different states–solid, liquid, and gas. Some common materials, such as water, can be changed from one state to another by heating or cooling. (K-4)
Cryogenics and Cryology: A Cool Experiment

POSITION AND MOTION OF OBJECTS

An object's motion can be described by tracing and measuring its position over time. (K-4) Reasons for Seasons: Exploring the Astronomy of Spring
TRANSFER OF ENERGY
The sun is a major source of energy for changes on the earth's surface. The sun loses energy by emitting light. A tiny fraction of that light reaches the earth, transferring energy from the sun to the earth. The sun's energy arrives as light with a range of wavelengths, consisting of visible light, infrared, and ultraviolet radiation. (5-8) Understanding Microclimates: A Matter of Degrees  
Reasons for Seasons: Exploring the Astronomy of Spring
The Days They Are A'Changing: Learning to Be Observers

C. LIFE SCIENCE
THE CHARACTERISTICS OF ORGANISMS (K-4) (5-8)

Organisms have basic needs. For example, animals need air, water and food; plants require air, water, nutrients, and light. Organisms can survive only in environments in which their needs can be met. The world has many different environments, and distinct ones support the life of different types of organisms. (K-4) Deciding Where to Plant the Garden
Predicting the Arrival of Spring
My Native Plant Field Guide
What's Happening Underground? Bulb Life Cycles
Snow Blankets the Earth: Learning from Snow Day Activities
The Wild Wisdom of Native Plants: Names and Stories
Spring Fever: Tulips, Temperatures and the Greening of Spring
Sun Power: Graphing the Effects of the Sun's Heat on Plants
The Days They Are A'Changing: Learning to Be Observers

Don't Come Closer! How Plants Protect Their Own Space

How Plants Grow: Auxin's Not a Toxin
Each plant or animal has different structures that serve different functions in growth, survival, reproduction. (K-4) Tulips as Tools to Gauge the Greening of Spring
My Native Plant Field Guide
Whats in a Name? Tulip History and Taxonomy
Beautiful Leaves Contribute Form and Function
A Botanist's View: Cousins of the Tulip Plant
What Does Blooming Mean to a Tulip?
Cryogenics and Cryology: A Cool Experiment
 
How Plants Grow: Auxin's Not a Toxin 
LIFE CYCLES OF ORGANISMS
Plants and animals have life cycles that include being born, developing into adults, reproducing, and eventually dying. The details of this life cycle are different for different organisms. (K-4) Out of Sight Out of Mind? What Happens Underground?
Flip Books: Springtime Memories
What Does Blooming Mean to a Tulip?

ORGANISMS AND THEIR ENVIRONMENTS

An organism's behavior patterns are related to the nature of that organism's environment, including the kinds and number of other organisms present, the availability of food and resources, and the physical characteristics of the environment. When environment changes, some plants and animals survive and reproduce, and others die or move to new locations. (K-4) Out of Sight Out of Mind? What Happens Underground?
All organisms cause changes in the environment where they live. Some of these changes are detrimental to the organism or others, whereas others are beneficial. (K-4) .Don't Come Closer! How Plants Protect Their Own Space

STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION IN LIVING SYSTEMS

Living systems at all levels of organization demonstrate the complementary nature of structure and function. (5-8) Tulips as Tools to Gauge the Greening of Spring
Whats in a Name? Tulip History and Taxonomy
Out of Sight Out of Mind? What Happens Underground?
Beautiful Leaves Contribute Form and Function
REPRODUCTION AND HEREDITY
Reproduction is a characteristic of all living systems; because no individual organism lives forever, reproduction is essential to the continuation of every species. Some organisms reproduce asexually. Other organisms reproduce sexually. (5-8)

Tulips as Tools to Gauge the Greening of Spring
Whats in a Name? Tulip History and Taxonomy

 

REGULATION AND BEHAVIOR
All organisms must be able to obtain and use resources, grow, reproduce, and maintain stable internal conditions in a constantly changing external environment. (5-8) Celery Microclimate Experiment
The Wild Wisdom of Native Plants: Names and Stories
How Plants Grow: Auxin's Not a Toxin
   
DIVERSITY AND ADAPTATIONS
Millions of species of animals, plants, and microorganisms are alive today. Although different species might look dissimilar, the unity among organisms becomes apparent from an analysis of internal structures, the similarity of their chemical processes, and the evidence of common ancestry. (5-8) A Botanist's View: Cousins of the Tulip Plant
Biological evolution accounts for the diversity of species through gradual processes over many generations. Species acquire many of their unique characteristics through biological adaptation, which involves the selection of naturally occurring variations in populations. Biological adaptations include changes in structures, behaviors, or physiology that enhance survival and reproductive success in a particular environment. (5-8) The Wild Wisdom of Native Plants: Names and Stories

D. EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE
PROPERTIES OF EARTH MATERIALS (K-4) (5-8)

Soils have properties of color and texture, capacity to retain water, and ability to support the growth of many kinds of plants, including those in our food supply. (K-4) Deciding Where to Plant the Garden
OBJECTS IN THE SKY
The sun, moon, stars, clouds, birds, and airplanes all have properties, locations, and movements that can be observed and described. (K-4) Reasons for Seasons: Exploring the Astronomy of Spring
Seasons and Cycles: Celebrate the Solstice
The sun provides light and heat necessary to maintain the temperature of the earth. (K-4)  Going to Extremes: The Annual Microclimate Challenge
Reasons for Seasons: Exploring the Astronomy of Spring

Cycles and Seasons: Collectors Corner
Celery Microclimate Experiment
Sun Power: Graphing the Effects of the Sun's Heat on Plants
Flip Books: Springtime Memories
The Days They Are A'Changing: Learning to Be Observers
CHANGES IN THE EARTH AND SKY
Weather changes from day to day and over the seasons. Weather can be described by measurable quantities, such as temperature, wind direction and speed, and precipitation. (K-4) Deciding Where to Plant the Garden
Predicting the Greening of Spring
Going to Extremes: The Annual Microclimate Challenge
The Days They Are A'Changing: Learning to Be Observers
Finding a Garden That Represents Your Region
Objects in the sky have patterns of movement. The sun, for example, appears to move across the sky in the same way every day, but its path changes slowly over the seasons. The moon moves across the sky on a daily basis much like the sun. The observable shape of the moon changes from day to day in a cycle that lasts about a month. (K-4) Reasons for Seasons: Exploring the Astronomy of Spring
Cycles and Seasons: Collectors Corner
Seasons and Cycles: Celebrate the Solstice
The Days They Are A'Changing: Learning to Be Observers
EARTH IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM
The sun is the major source of energy for phenomena on the earth's surface, such as growth of plants, winds, ocean currents, and the water cycle. Seasons result from variations in the amount of sun's energy hitting the surface, due to the tilt of the earth's rotation on its axis and the length of the day. (5-8) Going to Extremes: The Annual Microclimate Challenge
Reasons for Seasons: Exploring the Astronomy of Spring

Cycles and Seasons: Collectors Corner
 
The Days They Are A'Changing: Learning to Be Observers
E. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
UNDERSTANDING ABOUT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (K-4)
People have always had questions about their world. Science is one way of answering questions and explaining the natural world. (K-4) Spontaneous Generation? A New World of Life Forms

Tools help scientists make better observations, measurements, and equipment for investigations. They help scientists see, measure, and do things that they could not otherwise see, measure, and do. (K-4)

Data Recorders for Your Research Questions
Setting Up a Temperature Recorder in the Gardenl
Tulips & Temperatures Underground
Snow Blankets the Earth: Learning from Snow Day Activities
Hobos in the Garden: Reading Temperature Graphs
Sun Power: Graphing the Effects of the Sun's Heat on Plants

G. HISTORY AND NATURE OF SCIENCE
SCIENCE AS A HUMAN ENDEAVOR (K-4) (5-8)

Science and technology have been practiced by people for a long time. (K-4) . .Spontaneous Generation? A New World of Life Forms
Men and women have made variety of contributions throughout the history of science and technology. (K-4) . .Whats in a Name? Tulip History and Taxonomy
HISTORY OF SCIENCE
Many individuals have contributed to the traditions of science. Studying some of them provides further understanding of scientific inquiry, science as a human endeavor, the nature of science, and the relationships between science and society. (5-8) .Whats in a Name? Tulip History and Taxonomy