Modules

Shared below are the outlines to our six Supplemental Resource Modules for the TREE program. These modules help support student learning and are optional to view! Do check out our Teacher Inquiry Guide which helps facilitate inquiry projects with TREE in classes as well as our Sampling Guide which is a condensed version of Modules 2 and 4 (this guide is printed and provided in our TREE Kits). Also check out our Module Icon Guide, which covers the icons you will be seeing throughout the Modules.

TREE Module 1 covers tree anatomy, characteristics of trembling aspen, nutrient cycles, and more.

Module 1: Trees

Topics addressed in this module include:

  • introducing general tree anatomy and functions,

  • identifying key characteristics of healthy and sick trembling aspen,

  • understanding the nutrient and water cycles of trembling aspen, and

  • understanding the various threats to, and their impacts on, trembling aspen.

TREE Module 2 provides timeline instructions and Indigenous connections to trembling aspen.

Topics addressed in this module include:

  • understanding impacts/events on trees and soil in a sampling area,

  • consulting various sources and community members for knowledge, and

  • instructions on how students should construct their timeline that outlines potential impacts affecting tree growth.

TREE Module 3 provides content on what soil is, soil horizons, the nutrient cycle, and more.

Module 3: Soil

Topics addressed in this module include:

  • introducing soil, identifying soil as distinct from dirt,

  • identifying the various types of soils and soil horizons, and

  • understanding soil formation and the nutrient cycle.

TREE Module 4 provides instructions on how to sample, how to collect tree cores, how to collect soil samples, and what is in the TREE kit.

Module 4: Sampling

Topics addressed in this module include:

  • what samples are needed for the TREE program,

  • how to collect the samples, what equipment to use,

  • how to use the equipment, and

  • how to package everything back up to the labs.

TREE Module 5 covers what the Mistik Askîwin Dendrochronology Lab (MAD Lab) is, what the Canadian Light Source is, and how the IDEAS Beamline is involved.

Module 5: Labs

Topics addressed in this module include:

  • introducing the MAD Lab which specializes in dendrochronology and

  • the CLS team who specialize in elemental analysis and provide support for the TREE program with resources and activities.

TREE Module 6 covers the dendrochronology and synchrotron data schools receive from the TREE citizen science program.

Module 6: Data

Topics addressed in this module include:

  • examining tree rings and the wealth of information they hold,

  • insights into the elemental composition using XRF, and

  • how the labs will use the students’ constructed timeline to identify potential causes to trends in the data.