Join the 1,000s of young scientists taking part in a climate investigation with Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales
Young scientists across the UK are adopting daffodil and crocus bulbs to study the effects of climate change. The investigation improves science and numeracy skills by getting pupils out of the classroom planting, observing, and keeping weather records.
Each year 175 schools across the UK take part. The project is delivered in English and Welsh and suitable for learners in cities, towns, and rural locations.
How it works:
A long term study taking place across the UK
- This long-term study began in Wales in 2005, expanded to England and Scotland in 2011 and Northern Ireland in 2017. In the academic year 2025-26 we will be celebrating 20 years of the Spring Bulbs for Schools Investigation!
- Professor Plant and Baby Bulb are the animated figure heads for the investigation. They invite pupils to take part, answer pupils’ questions and share resources and blogs throughout the duration of the project.
- Super Scientist Awards 2023-24
- Bulbcast Winners 2024
Taking part:
- Schools must register in the summer term – to take place in the following Autumn.
- Planting takes place on a specified date in October.
- Pupils keep weather records in schools each day from November until the end of March.
- Pupils observe growth and record flowering between January and the end of March.
- Schools that complete the investigation receive Super scientist certificates and stand the chance to win a trip to a museum or science centre.
‘We are delighted to work in partnership with the Edina Trust who fund the investigation across the UK’
This Is What You Need to Do
1
Applications are full for 2024-25
2
Receive your resource pack by early October
3
Plant your bulbs in October and take weather records November to March
4
Enter your weather and flower data to this website to receive prizes for your class
Summary
Number of schools involved this year
Average temperature across all schools
°C
Average rainfall across all schools
mm
Total data collected so far this year
Bulb Blog
24 June 2024
5 June 2024
Teaching Resources
Study the investigation results
Pupil worksheets
- Name the parts of the flower (PDF)
- My Crocus (PDF)
- My Daffodil (PDF)
- Bulb Adoption Certificate - Colour (PDF)
- Make your own bulb label (PDF)
- Make a mini-origami booklet (Colour version) (PDF)
- Make a mini-origami booklet (Fill in the gaps version) (PDF)
- Make a mini-origami booklet (b&w version) (PDF)
- Bulb care - after flowering (PDF)
Optional resources and activities
Term Planner & Wallcharts
- Term Planner 2023-24 (PDF)
- School weather chart 23-24 (PDF)
- Daffodil chart (PDF)
- Crocus chart (PDF)
- Guide for the Bulbcast competition 2024 (PDF)
Calendar of Active Weeks
2024
- 4 Nov – 8 Nov
- 11 Nov – 15 Nov
- 18 Nov – 22 Nov
- 25 Nov – 29 Nov
- 2 Dec – 6 Dec
- 9 Dec – 13 Dec
- 16 Dec – 20 Dec
2025
- 6 Jan – 10 Jan
- 13 Jan – 17 Jan
- 20 Jan – 24 Jan
- 27 Jan – 31 Jan
- 3 Feb – 7 Feb
- 10 Feb – 14 Feb
- 17 Feb – 21 Feb
- 24 Feb – 28 Feb
- 3 Mar – 7 Mar
- 10 Mar – 14 Mar
- 17 Mar – 21 Mar
- 24 Mar – 28 Mar