Tulips Journey North

In Tulips Journey North, students plant and observe tulip gardens to track the arrival of spring. They observe and record when their own plants – and those in other school gardens in North America – emerge from the ground and bloom. As students track this one plant type, along with temperatures, day length, and other seasonal signs, they discover how different factors influence the wave of spring. This sets the stage for better understanding our changing climate.

Students track plant growth. They notice and predict how tulips will respond to extremes in temperature. What happens after a cold snap or week of warm weather? Older students graph daily temperatures and plant growth. They look for patterns in their data.

Students look at weather and climate maps. They explore whether the average temperatures in their region in a given week/month/season are “normal?” They ask, How could these temperature patterns affect the progress of spring (blooming of tulips)? Students analyze long-term garden data. As they compare data from different years, they ask, Did spring move forward at the same rate each year? Did we notice any patterns? What might have caused differences? (retrieved from http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/pde/TulipsClimateWhy.html)

Tulips Journey North Outreach Program in Utah

As part of the ongoing partnership between Thanksgiving Point Institute and Utah State University Extension 4-H began the Tulips Journey North Outreach program. This addressed the need for a manageable outreach program that provides an extended learning opportunity that reflects the core mission of both partners that is meaningful to students and educators.

Needs & Impacts

• Building STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) abilities in youth through a citizen scientist program
• Encouraging kids to get outside, not only for planting but ongoing observations and data collection
• Building an outreach program that is not a “one hit wonder” but a series of learning activities that engage students throughout the year (planting, Amaryllis bulb, paper white forcing and spring grow cards)
• Community beautification

Growth

•2007 3 schools
•2008 12 schools
•2009 40 + schools

*For more information on the Tulips Journey North program please contact Corinne Mayberry at 801.768.4944

journey north official web site>