A peach tree growing in an orchard in Central Georgia.
Stephen Rahn, CC 0
Pathway Summary
Anchoring phenomenon lesson
This pathway on the decline in Georgia's peach harvest begins with students sharing their personal experiences with peaches in their communities. They then analyze data from 2017 on peach harvests and the environmental conditions during that year. Students also explore the life cycle of peach trees and learn how crucial chill hours are for fruit production. Using this data and their analyses, students develop an initial model to explain how changes in climate are affecting peach yields.
Investigate lessons
Students investigate popular varieties of peaches grown in Georgia. They figure out that these varieties require a minimum number of chill hours and that, in some years, Georgia has not received enough for optimal peach production. Winters are becoming warmer, leading to fewer chill hours than in the past. Additionally, warmer temperatures cause peaches to blossom earlier, increasing the risk of frost damage and fruit loss.
Synthesize lesson
Students organize the evidence they’ve gathered during their investigations and construct an explanation for the decline in peach production. Their exploration leads to a new question: Why are temperatures rising in Georgia?
Culminating task
The culminating task invites students to educate their local community about the impact of climate change on the peach harvest. Working in teams, they create a cookbook that blends scientific insights with cultural traditions related to peaches. Through this project, students both raise awareness about reducing the effects of climate change and celebrate culturally significant family and community recipes featuring peaches as the main ingredient.
Phenomenon
Peach harvest yields are declining in Georgia.
Community
Athens is a small, racially and culturally diverse city in northeast Georgia. Its population is just over 125,000, and it is home to a large state university, the University of Georgia. Athens is situated in the Piedmont region of the southern Appalachians and experiences a subtropical climate with warm to hot summers and cool to cold winters. This is an ideal climate for many food crops, especially peaches. The region historically has experienced the necessary chill hours for many peach varieties.
Materials Available
Anchoring phenomenon lesson
3 Investigate lessons
1 Synthesize lesson
Culminating task
Key Features
Small urban
Family connection
Educator Insight
Teacher: Enya Granados
Why I chose this phenomenon
I chose the Georgia peach as my phenomena because all of my students can visibly see that it is our state symbol and have a way to relate to it but may not understand what is happening to our growth of peaches here in Georgia due to climate change so it adds enough mystery for them to be interested to explore more.
How my students responded
Students responded with lots of questions, interest, and engagement. Particularly they wanted to grow some of their own plants and visit a peach orchard as possible investigations.
