Our Earth System Science classes conducted a collaborative research project during the fall of 2002.
Our classes are made of a team from the Earth System Science classes at the Model Secondary School
for the Deaf (Washington, DC) and Indiana School for the Deaf.

Our project focused on answering the following questions:

1) Why do leaves change color in autumn?
2) How do factors of temperature and rain affect the colors of the leaves?
3) What changes occur in the colors and percentages of light reflected from
leaves?

We collected data using GLOBE's Green Up/Down Protocols, and the protocols for recording precipitation,
minimum temperatures, and maximum temperatures. The students at both of our schools used an ALTA reflectance spectrometer to record the percentages of colors of light reflected from leaves. Those of us in Washington, DC studied Silver Maple leaves, while the rest of us in Indiana studied Sugar Maple leaves.
During our research project, we used the Internet and videoconferencing to discuss data, compare results, determine conclusions, and write a final report.

At the end of our project, we noted differences in precipitation, temperature, geographic location, and
changes in percent of light reflected from leaves. We found interesting patterns in the data as the fall
season progressed, indicating biological changes happening inside the leaves in response to the
environment.