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Looking for meaningful ways to integrate environmental education in your classroom? Bimaadiziwin Mitigoog: Trees of Life suite, developed by Science Rendezvous (don't miss Science Rendezvous Kingston happening May 9), is a rich suite of six interactive resources centred on trees and their vital roles in our ecosystems.
These resources thoughtfully braid together Indigenous Knowledges—authored by Ojibwe, Mohawk, and Métis educators—and western scientific perspectives to deepen understanding of trees and their interconnections with the broader environment. Featured trees include Azaadi (Trembling Aspen), Mitigomizh (Oak), Mitigomizh (Oak), Baapaagimaak (Ash), Wiigwaasaatig (Birch), and Wáhta (Maple) trees. Together, the teachings highlight the spiritual, historical, cultural, social, and medicinal significance of each tree from diverse perspectives.
Integrated lesson primers support cross-curricular connections, making the suite adaptable for a wide range of classroom contexts.
The Wáhta (Maple) Teachings, for example, include multimedia resources that explore how humans and more-than-human beings interact with the maple tree. Lesson prompts invite young people to engage with their local environment in meaningful ways. One prompt encourages learners to select a nearby tree and keep a scientists’ field notebook over the course of the year, documenting observations such as growth, seasonal changes, sounds, smells, mosses, fungi, and visiting animals. These learning activities can be adapted for K-12 classrooms and spark inquiry-driven conversations about sustainability and environmentally responsible futures.
Continuing Teacher Education Course Connections
Interested in learning more ways to integrate environmental education in your classroom? Explore these upcoming CTE courses:
CONT562: Environmental Education, Part 1 (Ontario)
Offered Summer 2026 and Fall 2026
CONT918: Outdoor, Environmental, and Experiential Education (Ontario)
Offered in Summer 2026 and Fall 2026
Submitted by
Rebecca Evans, OCT, Academic Manager, Continuing Teacher Education, Queen’s University. Rebecca teaches history of education and outdoor and environmental education to pre-service teachers. Her research interests include civic learning in community organizations; youth climate action; and outdoor learning.