Fourth-graders at Oxford Elementary School rolled up their sleeves and got their hands dirty last week when they planted 137 tulip bulbs as part of an on-line international science experiment.
‘We really wanted to do a project where we could connect with other classrooms, not only in our country, but in other countries,? said fourth-grade teacher Barbara Johnston. ‘This is a global project, so it goes along with our vision of globally educating our students.?
The project’s called ‘Journey North? and it’s designed to track the progress of the spring season as it spreads throughout the Northern Hemisphere.
It all begins in the fall when students from hundreds of classrooms plant Red Emperor Tulip bulbs in test gardens at their schools.
When the beautiful red flowers finally emerge and bloom next spring, the young scientists will visit Journey North’s website and report that spring has arrived in their part of the world.
As each school announces the arrival of spring in its community, students will plot the progression of the season in the Northern Hemisphere.
‘We want to get (students) involved with technology and networking on-line,? Johnston explained. ‘I think what’s going to be really interesting is to compare our data with classrooms from other parts of the country and the world.?
Through careful observation and measurements, the students will discover how temperatures, sunlight, geographic location and other variables influence plant growth.
‘What we’re hoping to see is patterns that indicate the seasonal changes and maybe even some anomalies that might be related to climate change (i.e. global warming),? Johnston said. ‘That’s one of the questions they have ? does climate change have any affect on bulb plants and the coming of the seasons.?
In addition to being a terrific science lesson, Johnston’s ‘hoping they’ll also gain knowledge in the area of geography.?
‘I think that’s really lacking these days,? she said.
Students were encouraged to take some tulip bulbs home and plant their own test gardens. ‘I like that home-school connection,? Johnston said. ‘The parents are excited about it, too.?
The home project will enable students to exercise ‘critical thinking skills? as they select the right spots to plant their bulbs.
‘It will be interesting to see if theirs grow faster, where they’re planted in relation these (at school) and be able to compare those variables,? Johnston said.