Phenology Trends and Climate Change in Minnesota
Lesson Plans
Grades11, 12, APBiology, Mathematics
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Provided by Environmental Data-Driven Inquiry & Exploration (EDDIE)
What it is
- This lesson module designed for biology majors allows students to explore the impact of climate change on American elm and other species in Minnesota through data analysis and spreadsheet manipulation.
- Students will determine if they can answer a question with available information, look at flowering data for the American elm in Ramsey County, MN, and analyze data for the phenological activity of a species they choose.
- Teachers also have the option to precede the lesson with an article about phenological changes in Wisconsin.
Teaching tips
Positives
- Students will learn helpful tips as they work through the activities, such as using control + F to search in a spreadsheet or document.
- Allowing students to choose a species to find data for gives them a sense of autonomy in this activity.
- The step-by-step instructions illustrate in great detail how to use both Excel and Google Sheets to graph data.
Prerequisites
- This lesson is approximately 65 minutes long and also includes a homework assignment.
- Students will need to download software and datasets to complete the activities.
- Students should know the difference between phenophase and phenology.
- Students should know how to graph and run a regression analysis.
- This resource includes a video to explain the audience for the lesson and provide an overview.
Differentiation & Implementation
- Younger students can do this activity as a class or simply do the pre-homework assignment.
- Students can work in teams with different species.
- After completing this module, students can research other ways the species they chose is impacted by climate change.
- Students can keep a journal to track phenophases in their area as the seasons change.
From the scientist review
This resource teaches students about the Phenology of Elm Trees in Minnesota and how it is affected by climate change. The information presented in the resource is accurate and well-cited. This resource is recommended for teaching.
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