LEARNING GOAL: Use data to build a conceptual understanding that the presence and/or absence of light is important for controlling circadian and circannual rhythms OBJECTIVE: Construct an explanation of how light affects circadian rhythms by analyzing the nature of circadian and circannual rhythms within organisms

Warm Up: How have this weeks lessons modified your ideas for your sleep study project?

Exploring Organism Rhythms Journey North Journey North Student Sheet Part 4: Investigating an Organism’s Relationship to Day Length Part 5: Going Further

Part 3: Exploring Archived Data Sets Go to (or scan the QR code) to explore additional data sets and interactive maps. Figure 3. Past seasons data from Journey North. Under the box that says “Spring 2014 Sightings,” select the link to “Spring 2014 Maps.” You will go to a page that features 22 maps, some static and others interactive. The maps represent observable events related to plants, animals, and weather. Each of the selections contains a map, a list of reported sightings, and a background page about the species. Select an organism whose behavior you would like to explore further. Note: Do NOT select symbolic monarchs, whooping cranes, signs of the seasons, or habitat projects. Select the map for your organism. For some organisms, such as the Monarch butterfly, you can filter the results by selecting various dates.

Part 3: Exploring Archived Data Sets Go to (or scan the QR code) to explore additional data sets and interactive maps. Figure 3. Past seasons data from Journey North. Examine three years of sightings for your organism. Describe any similarities and/or differences between the maps. Things to consider: Is the activity level of your species (e.g., migration) similar each year? If yes, what factors would trigger an organism to react in the same way each year? Is there a specific week or month of maximum sightings?

Part 4: Investigating an Organism’s Relationship to Day Length Figure 4. Map showing data collected of frogs first heard singing. Using either the current season or past seasons, develop a question to explore related to an organism’s activity and day length. For example, Is there a relationship between day length and the first frog heard singing? You will then use the maps to answer your question. The maps will provide evidence for your answer. Figure 4 is an example of how to answer the question Is there a relationship between day length and the first frog heard singing. It shows that as day length increases, more frogs could be heard singing. In addition, frogs in more northern regions begin singing later in the spring. This is due to colder temperatures.

Part 4: Investigating an Organism’s Relationship to Day Length Figure 4. Map showing data collected of frogs first heard singing. Using an organism of your choice, develop a question to investigate to determine how day length impacts the organism. Use the maps from the Journey North website to answer your question. Your question: What patterns do you notice? What do you think is happening and why? What is your hypothesis? What did you find out when you investigated your question? What other explanations could be plausible (i.e., an alternative hypothesis)?

Part 5: Going Further What other types of behaviors do you think are linked to day length or the amount of light organisms receive? Use the Journey North site to support your ideas. Below are some questions to consider: When did your chosen organism begin to migrate? Note: Not all species migrate. Was there a peak week during which your selected organism was spotted? Is the activity of your organism linked to the availability of food and/or habitat? For example, what is the relationship between: Monarch butterflies and milkweed? Between robins and earthworms? Between leaf out and orioles?

Exit Question The study of seasonal changes shown by plants and animals is called phenology. As the climate gets warmer, organisms are moving farther north. Many plants are now blooming earlier than they used to in the past. What effect will this have on types of birds that depend on plants for seeds and fruit? The birds are out of sync with their food supply. This may impact their ability to successfully raise their young