Engage with Nature: Groundhog Day Science Activities (2024)

FAQs

What is the science behind Groundhog Day? ›

Areas of high pressure pull cold air down from the north. They also sweep away any clouds that might have provided insulation. Consequently, a bright winter day (one on which a groundhog may see a shadow) may be an indication of more cold days to come.

Premise of Groundhog Day STEM Challenge

In groups, students will create groundhog shadows, searching for the perfect combinations of light source angles, distances, and even groundhog accessories to meet the specified shadow criteria & constraints. Shadows will be traced and and turned into street art/graffiti.

Groundhog Day 2024: Punxsutawney Phil did not see shadow, predicts early spring. The spotlight was on Gobbler's Knob in western Pennsylvania early Friday morning as Punxsutawney Phil made his annual prediction.

Sees His Shadow: If the plump prognosticator emerges from his hole on a clear day and sees his shadow, he will retreat, and there will be six more weeks of wintry weather. No Shadow: If he emerges from his burrow and does NOT see his shadow, then early spring weather is right around the corner.

On this day, according to tradition, people watch the behavior of a groundhog (also called a woodchuck) to find out what the weather will be like for the next six weeks. If the animal sees its shadow as it comes out of its burrow, there will be six more weeks of wintery weather.

Groundhog Day is based on the Catholic Candlemas tradition that falls directly between the winter solstice and spring equinox. Local priests said their parishes are holding special services to celebrate Candlemas on Feb. 2.

The prediction - or prognostication, as The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club calls it - focuses on what to expect with the weather for the next six weeks. If Phil sees his shadow, that means six more weeks of winter. If Phil doesn't see his shadow, it means spring is on the way.

Lifespan: In the wild, groundhogs can live up to six years with two or three being average. In captivity, groundhogs reportedly live up to 14 years. Breeding: Groundhogs tend to be solitary except in the spring when a litter of four to six young are born. Litters of one to nine have been recorded.

Records kept by the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club show Phil has predicted 108 continued winters and only 21 early springs as of 2024. According to the Stormfax Almanac, that works out to a 39% accuracy rate for Phil. In the near term, the groundhog's accuracy rate is slightly worse.

Groundhog Day is the perfect time to study shadows. Studying shadows is not only fun, but it also gets the creativity flowing. Allow students to make shadows on the overhead screen or a piece of white paper. While one student is making a shadow on a piece of white paper have another student trace it.

Can you drink at groundhog's day? ›

Members of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club Inner Circle begin their trek to the Knob at 7:15 a.m. Phil prognosticates about 7:28 a.m. Backpacks and bags will be checked by police. No alcohol or weapons of any sort are permitted. Personal photos are allowed.

"Glad tidings on this Groundhog Day, an early spring is on the way!" Tradition says that North America will get six more weeks of winter if Phil sees his shadow and an early spring if he does not. Statistics say not so much: Phil's accuracy rate is about 40% over the last decade.

The groundhog is a lowland creature of North America; it is found through much of the Eastern United States, across Canada and into Alaska. It was first scientifically described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758.

Sees His Shadow: If the plump prognosticator emerges from his hole on a clear day and sees his shadow, he will retreat, and there will be six more weeks of wintry weather. No Shadow: If he emerges from his burrow and does NOT see his shadow, then early spring weather is right around the corner.

To punish Connors for his hubris, Punxsutawney Phil summoned a freak storm to trap him in his domain, then looped time until Connors learned his lesson. Remember, it's not until Phil Connors delivers his sincere monologue on the beauty of Groundhog Day that his curse is lifted.