Be Your Own Groundhog

• Published in: The Science teacher (National Science Teachers Association) Vol. 79; no. 9; pp. 64 - 69
• Main Author: Gregory, Christine
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon National Science Teachers Association 01-12-2012; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Earth Science; Ecology; Environmental Education; Environmental science; Graphs; Inquiry; Natural Resources; Phenology; Prediction; Science education; Science Instruction; Secondary School Science; Teaching Methods
• ISSN: 0036-8555; 1943-4871
• DOI: 10.2505/3/tst12_079_09

In this article, the author describes the "Be your own groundhog" project in her grades 9-12 Earth and environmental sciences courses, in which students use citizen science databases to research the physical changes that signal the arrival of spring. This project starts with a simple question, "When will spring spring?" This goes beyond the astronomical date of the vernal equinox to terrestrial meanings of spring--warmth, flowers, migrations. By using the observational science of phenology and data sets contributed by citizen scientists and available online, students create and refine predictive models, demonstrating the science practices described in the "Framework." Even those students who previously avoided science find this activity engaging and interesting, which is why it will remain a part of the author's curriculum for years to come. (Contains 3 figures and 5 online resources.)