Phenology in action: GES students track nature’s weekly changes

Throughout the 2024-25 school year the students at Great Expectations School have been producing a weekly phenology report with observations of wildlife, plants, weather, and more.

A transcript and an audio feature of the latest phenology report for May 23 is below.

Orin: Hi this is Orin, Theo, Anson Daneen, Dom and Leah from Great Expectations School in Grand Marais, Minnesota. Today is May 23rd, 2025. We have had a great year of exploring Phenology but today will be our last report of the school year. We will chat with you all next school year.

Theo: This week has been relatively cold. Sunday, May 18th in snow in Cook County. Near the lake the large flakes melted instantly but away from the lake some places the snow covered the ground. It has been a bit warmer this week but highs have been between 40 and 50 degrees.

Anson: There are lots of flowers blooming around us at the moment. If you go out on a hike you can see lots of violets, Marsh marigolds, wild ginger, honeysuckle, Wood Anemone, Dutchman’s Breeches, Spring Beauty, Daffodils, Bluebells, and much more blooming.

Dom: A lot of insects have been seen, the Bear Cubs have reported lots of bumble bees at recess. There has been a few ticks found and mosquitoes. The black flies have started coming out but are not a huge pest yet.

Daneen: Two Mallard Ducks have been hanging out in the back woods are sometimes seen at recess. 8 new chicks hatched in the Wolves North class and are fun to watch grow.

Leah: Some of our classes have been watching the Loon nest at Chik-Wauk Museum. On the 12th, it laid one egg and laid another a few days later. We are hoping they will hatch before school ends but most likely they will hatch after school. This has been  Orin, Theo, Anson Daneen, Dom and Leah reporting from Great Expectations School. Where you can expect a great phenology report.

Kalli Hawkins May 27, 2025