Phenology Garden
Phenology is the study of the timing of annual lifecycle events in nature, such as migration, pollination, budburst, and leaf fall. I propose to prepare and plant a 20’ by 30’ garden of native wildflowers on a southern facing site next to the school for students to monitor phenological events. Scientists study phenology and relate it to climate change. Fluctuations in climate influence the observable natural cycles in plants and animals. Students will collect, analyze, and publish their research, and compare it to online climate data. This project will encompass the STEM disciplines (science, technology, engineering, math), as well as reading and writing. Students will collect seasonal data including the timing of events like budburst in the spring, leaf development, flower blooming, seed production, and first frost. A variety of reading and writing activities appropriate to different grade levels will also be incorporated.
Grant Year: 2014-2015
Grant Recipients: Kate Bennett
Receiving Schools: J.R. Briggs Elementary School