Journey North

Resource

Journey North

A group of monarch butterflies on a tree.

Journey North is a free citizen science platform that engages students in the observation and tracking of seasonal migrations and changes in nature, such as monarch butterfly migrations, hummingbird arrivals, and plant blooming. Through real-time data collection, interactive maps, and inquiry-based investigations, students become active participants in scientific research and environmental monitoring.

The site offers ready-to-use activities, data tools, and multimedia resources that foster curiosity, observation skills, and ecological understanding—all while connecting learners to natural phenomena.

I recommend Journey North because it equips teachers with ready-to-use tools for taking students outside in meaningful, standards-aligned ways. The Teaching Resources section is packed with cross-curricular ideas that make it easy to integrate citizen science into a variety of subjects.  As an educator, I especially value the Educator Planning Tools as they offer a wealth of practical, accessible activities that are ready to implement and inspire deeper connections with the natural world.

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