Budding Scientists Tiptoe Thorugh the Tulips

Teachers and elementary students used tulip bulbs to study plants. Through a Toyota TAPESTRY Grant, teachers purchased the materials and equipment to grow tulips in their classrooms as they... See More

Teachers and elementary students used tulip bulbs to study plants. Through a Toyota TAPESTRY Grant, teachers purchased the materials and equipment to grow tulips in their classrooms as they reported their tulips’ growth progressions online at the Journey North website. As a result of this learning experience, students practiced several process skills including: measuring, weighing, graphing, and sequencing. Student engagement exceeded all expectations. These included: learning the parts of a flower by dissecting a tulip; designing experiments based on their own wonderings; and learning how to read a thermometer. First and second graders’ questions kept guiding the project so that they felt personally involved in their inquiries and became serious budding scientists. Note: There is a substantial initial investment of materials and equipment needed in order to replicate this experience.