What Stories Do TREES Tell Us?

Welcome to the Trans-Canadian Research and Environmental Education (TREE) program! A citizen science program where students from across Canada join with researchers from the Mistik Askîwin Dendrochronology Lab (MAD Lab) to learn about the stories trembling aspen trees tell and how a synchrotron can be a tool to tell that story. Join us as we explore this new area in research and learn about environments across Canada!

Student from Luseland, SK using a tree borer to collect a tree core sample

Contribute to Citizen Science

  • How? Collect trembling aspen and soil samples, following along with instructions!

  • Provide also a timeline of events from the sampling area, using our resources.

  • Participation is open year-round!

Students from Luseland, SK learning from Dr. Colin Laroque, director of the Mistik Askîwin Dendrochronology Lab, about tree cores and what MAD Lab does

Connect to Classroom Curricula

  • View downloadable teaching content, instructions, guides, and lesson plans.

  • Easily adapted for Gr. 6-12, with an example of curricular connections to Canadian Gr. 8!

  • Check out our instructional videos as well!

Students showcasing their work from their TREE project.

Extend with Student Inquiry

  • Let students explore their learning with the help of our Teacher Inquiry Guide.

  • Compare sample data to schools across Canada!

  • Share results with the community!

Access previous schools' sample data as our database of TREE research grows!

How to Participate

Students from Luseland, SK collecting tree cores from the trembling aspen in the notable "Crooked Bush" area by Luseland, SK

Five easy steps:

  1. Complete our Registration Form

  2. Schedule delivery of equipment for sample collection (No shipping costs!)

  3. Construct a timeline of events from the tree sampling area with your students

  4. Collect 2 trembling aspen tree cores with associated soil samples (Following instructions)

  5. Send your timeline, the samples, and the equipment kit back to us

Interested in learning more?

Check out our About page or visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for more useful info.

Mistik Askîwin Dendrochronology Laboratory Logo
Canadian Light Source logo

The TREE program connects to science research done in partnership between the Mistik Askîwin Dendrochronology (MAD) Laboratory and the Canadian Light Source (CLS), both on the University of Saskatchewan campus in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. We acknowledge that the campus is located on Treaty Six land in the traditional territories of the Nêhiyawak (Cree), Anishinabek, Lakota, Dakota and Nakota Nations, and the homeland of the Métis. As educators, we respect Indigenous Ways of Knowing and oral traditions. We dedicate ourselves to moving forward in the spirit of partnership, reconciliation, and collaboration.