Journey North International Plant Study

Track the sweep of spring in the Northern Hemisphere by keeping an eye on plants (Red Emperor tulips) as they burst forth and bloom! This exciting seasonal event begins underground each fall.
In this international science experiment, students in hundreds of classrooms plant tulip bulbs in schoolyard gardens this fall. Each group will use the same bulb variety (Red Emperor Tulips) and planting guidelines. When the tulips finally emerge and bloom, the young scientists will announce to classmates throughout the hemisphere that spring has arrived in their part of the world.
As students make observations in their own schoolyards, and observe the wave of spring on our interactive maps, they begin to see how seasonal climatic factors influence plant growth. The relationship between geography, temperature, and the arrival of spring is revealed, one garden at a time.