Harvard LTER Schoolyard Program
Buds, Leaves, and Global Warming (SY001)
How long is the growing season in our schoolyard?
How is the length of the season related to climate?
Lesson Plans
Data Analysis
Presentations
Suggested Reading
Grade Levels: 1-12
Minimum Field Time: 4 field visits in the spring and 4 in the fall
Related Research at Harvard Forest:
Forest Ecologist, John O'Keefe, is studying how our growing season might be affected by climate change. Dr. O'Keefe is studying these changes locally by measuring and tracking the expansion and opening of buds in the spring, as well as leaf coloration and drop in the autumn (see Phenology of Woody Species).
A webcam installed on top of the EMS tower by researchers from the University of New Hampshire provides above-canopy images of the surrounding forest for phenological studies. The camera is pointed north toward the summit of Prospect Hill and images are updated every 30 minutes.
Schoolyard Research Methods:
Students can participate in this study by measuring and tracking "bud burst" in the spring and/or leaf color change and drop in the fall. The data students record will help citizen scientists worldwide, who are studying this topic.
- Project coaches work with teacher in schoolyard or local conservation area to flag nearby trees for research, and map the research site.
- Schoolyard Coordinator provides information packet, data sheets, and field supplies to teacher.
- Scientist, Schoolyard Coordinator, and Project coaches work with teacher and students to learn measurement and data collecting techniques to begin the project.
- Teacher and students collect data during designated time period in spring and/or fall.
- Teacher and students provide data to Schoolyard Coordinator.
- Data is posted on Harvard Forest Website for public access.
- Teacher and students may choose to analyze data, and compare it to local, national, and international LTER data.
- Teacher and students are encouraged to come meet the scientist at Harvard Forest.