Springing forward
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Question Sheet: Springing forward

SCIENCE

Before reading:

1. What natural events signal the beginning of spring?
2. How reliable is the date at which these events occur each year?
3. What do you think is responsible for the timing of when they occur?
4. What do you think might happen if some of these events occurred sooner or later than they traditionally have been? How might this affect the ecosystems and their inhabitants?

During reading:

1. The timing of some spring events is changing. What do scientists think might be responsible for the changes?
2. What might happen if there is a change in the cycles of when certain plants and animals emerge or mature?
3. Why are scientists so interested in diaries from the mid-1800s belonging to Henry David Thoreau?
4. How might changing cycles of when plants and fungi emerge affect people?
5. What is phenology? What are citizen scientists who belong to the National Phenology Network doing?

After reading:

1. How serious do you think it is that natural environmental cycles are changing? Is it a problem now or something to worry about only in the future? Explain your answer.
2. If you were to join the National Phenology Network, which elements of wildlife would you like to watch and report on? Why?
3. If global warming is behind the changes, what might people in your community do to help slow that warming?
4. Is there anything particularly special about changes occurring in spring? Would you expect that changes in summer, fall or winter would have similarly important impacts? Explain your answer.

SOCIAL STUDIES

1. How might the changes that scientists have been observing affect farmers in your region? (Hint: How are farms affected by temperatures, birds, insects and other wildlife?) Give three examples of potential changes and describe why you think each would be either good or bad for these farmers.
2. What other industries or groups of professionals could be affected by major changes in the timing of when animals and plants emerge and develop? (Hint: What causes allergies? And consider people who must manage landscapes.)
3. Some insects that can’t stand cold weather may be able to move further north as climate warms. Think killer bees and fire ants. If they were to suddenly establish colonies in a northern state – like Ohio –how might this affect the economy and culture of towns in that state?  

LANGUAGE ARTS

1. Write three paragraphs about phenology and whether you think changing cycles of plants’ and animals’ emergence are a curiosity or something to really worry about. Explain your reasoning.
2. Hold a classroom debate about whether the phenology changes that are being witnessed around the world today are sufficient justification to spend money on changing the types and amounts of energy that we use.

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