Phenophase Scavenger Hunt Activity - By Michelle Coe

To acclimate people to looking closely at the plants and animals for observation in Nature's Notebook. Print out the letters to the word PHENOPHASE on 8 1/2 by 11 paper, one letter per page. On separate pages create descriptions or definitions that start with each of the letters in the word PHENOPHASE. Use brightly colored paper and laminate the cards for use later. Hide the description cards in the garden or around the site. Retain the letter cards to pass out to the group. Have people work in pairs or in threes. Do not tell them that the word spells PHENOPHASE. Depending upon the letter selected the team has to seek a card with a definition that matches the letter on their card. Once they locate it they should find and identify the item described and have a conversation about how it is related to phenology and the importance of it to the ecosystem. Bring everyone back together to debrief the activity after they've found their cards. Have them arrange themselves such that they are spelling out the word PHENOPHASE. Ask each team to share what they found. This activity was developed by Michelle Coe from the Community and School Garden Program at the University of Arizona.


The Phenology Handbook

A guide to phenological monitoring for students, teachers, families, and nature enthusiasts. Created by Susan Mazer, Alisa Hove, and Brian Haggerty at the University of California, Santa Barbara as part of the Phenological Literacy: Understanding Through Science and Stewardship Program (PLUSS).