Engaging Elementary Students in Authentic Research by Monitoring Leaf Color Changes

Authentic research experiences allow students to take ownership of their learning in ways that promote data literacy and scientific identity. In the six-week module presented here, elementary students were the principal data collectors, providing a unique opportunity for autonomous data collection and fieldwork for students in this age group. Throughout the project, students learned about leaf abscission, collected data from local trees, developed graph interpretation skills using their own data and through a game-based activity, and ultimately applied those skills to other locally relevant datasets. This project increased students’ graph interpretation skills, engagement, and critical thinking skills by offering an authentic research experience in fieldwork and analysis.