5th Graders Research Climate Change for Journey North

5th graders planted Red Emperor tulip bulbs to participate in Journey North’s climate experiment (they recently began studying monarch butterfly migration through Journey North as well). Bulb planting experimental constants included:

As kids dug seven inches down, they uncovered many rocks, roots and even a brick! The main variable in the study (climate) is certainly beyond their control. This spring, when plants emerge and bloom, our young gardeners will report their observations and data to Journey North. One garden at a time, the relationship between climate, geography, and the arrival of spring may be revealed. Check out the Journey North tulip planting map here.

They planted their second round of Red Emperor tulip bulbs with a twist. These self-designed experiments involved changing one of the constants from the first planting. This time, bulbs were soaked, poked, baked, halved, and more! Each bulb was marked with a headstone noting the experiment it is unwittingly going through. One bulb will, hopefully, benefit from being planted with Lil’ Joe, one of the classroom fish that did not survive. It was the first fish death and gave 5th graders a good reason to think about what are, or should be, constants and variables in the tank.  Collecting tank data will coincide with continued analysis of Charlottesville’s photoperiod.