Phenology Lessons for Arizona 6th Grade Students

Paula LandryArizona Space Grant Consortium

Statewide SymposiumApril 18, 2009

Special Thank You University of Arizona NASA Space Grant Consortium

andJake Weltzin, Executive Director

USA-NPN National Coordinating Office

Project Background

• Sponsor: USA National Phenology Network (USA-NPN)• Topic: Educational Support Materials for Elementary

Students• Problem Statement: Phenology is an emerging science

little known by the general population. Educational support materials to introduce phenology concept in elementary education will help address this issue.

• Approach: Develop a series of lesson plans for Arizona 6th grade students to introduce phenology observation and data collection.

Phenology

• What is Phenology?

Phenology is an applied science that studies the timing of life cycle events in plants and animals.

• Why is Phenology important?

Phenology shows how climate is changing and the effects of that change on ecosystems.

Project MethodologyReview Sources

•Arizona Standards

•Project

BudBurst

Lesson Plan Topic List

• Acquiring Knowledge of Phenology

• Become Familiar with Regional Plants

• Learn about Phenophases of plants

• Weather and Climate

• Collect and Record Field Data

• Review Vocabulary

Lesson Plan

• Objective

• Vocabulary

• Website Work Flow

• Activity

• Check for Understanding

Tools: BudBurst Website protocols

Outcome

Series of six tailored on the shelf lesson plans for use

Lesson Plan 1

Acquiring Knowledge of

Phenology

Lesson Plan 1

Acquiring Knowledge of

PhenologyLesson Plan 2

Become Familiar with Regional

Plants

Lesson Plan 2

Become Familiar with Regional

PlantsLesson Plan 3

Learn About Phenophases of

Plants

Lesson Plan 3

Learn About Phenophases of

PlantsLesson Plan 4

Collect and Record Field Data

Lesson Plan 4

Collect and Record Field Data Lesson Plan 5

Weather and Climate

Lesson Plan 5

Weather and Climate Lesson Plan 6

Review Vocabulary

Lesson Plan 6

Review Vocabulary

Lesson Sequence 1

Key Object Concepts: Acquiring Knowledge of Phenology

Materials/Resources: Computer and Internet access

Arizona Content Objective: SC06-S2C1-03; W06-S1C1-07; W06-S2C6-01, 06-08, 10-13; W06-S3C2-01-02; (VP-E1) T-E206-S/C1-02

Vocabulary Science GlossaryApplied Science Research: aimed at answering questions that have practical applications, e.g., determining the causes of diseases so that cures might be found

Ecosystem: all the organisms in a given area and the abiotic factors with which they interact

I. Introduce Phenology and Project BudBurst

II. Locate the Project BudBurst homepage: www.budburst.org

III. Explore Web Site Pages: – Read silently/aloud together or in pairs

– What is Phenology?

– Why is Phenology Important?

IV. Activity– Prepare a summary of the material individually or in pairs

V. Check for Understanding– Summaries are shared with the class

Lesson Sequence 1 (cont.)

• Value of the Project

• Key Personal Learnings

• Recommended Future Activities

Project Summary

Thanks to Jake Weltzin for the support and mentorship!