My goal for my inquiry project was to involve as many coworkers as I could and to learn about as many new plants as I could. I think that this was very successful and all my coworkers were super happy to participate in my blogs. In general, they were very excited to share about their favourite plants and give me knowledge of them, which is just a testament to why there are so many excellent and knowledgeable people at my work! They are always happy to share with customers the same amount of wisdom. This is so great because not only is it incredible customer service, but it is a way of educating and getting people excited about the natural world! The more people who are interested in the natural world the more well-rounded of a society that we will have. Hopefully, people will be less invested in the consumerist world that we live in and instead be more focused on how we can make the earth a greener place! At the end of the day, the only thing that really matters is taking care of the earth because that is what gives us life. If we don’t take care of our planet, we don’t have anything.
This allowed me to connect with many of my coworkers and also gain more knowledge on different types of plants and more importantly how they can be used. I think that Indigenous principles go hand and hand with this topic and it was very interesting to learn how different Indigenous groups would have used and still use some of these plants. Teaching students the First Peoples Principles of Learning is growing ever so important. Knowing how to teach this topic to students demonstrates just how important some of these traditions are and how applicable they can be to their own lives. If they ever got stranded in the middle of nowhere they could potentially survive just by learning how to use plants as food and medicine. Even more important what plants NOT to use as food or medicine.
Overall, I enjoyed this inquiry project quite a bit! I think that this was my favorite inquiry project that I have done this semester, and I thought it was very beneficial to do it through a weekly blog. I always looked forward to talking to one of my coworkers every week and they were excited about the project as well! I think it turned out very well and I would even continue doing this project at a later date if I wanted to continue finding more information on plants!
The program that we decided to use was called Semi-Conductor. Essentially this program is an AI called PoseNet that specializes in real-time human pose estimation.
It is important to know that it isn’t accurate to real conducting, however, it is a great way to get learners familiar with how their body movement can affect the sound. Also, this program could be a great way to include students with disabilities by creating a platform where they can explore music without necessarily having to learn how to play an instrument which is a very challenging process.
You could use this in your music class by getting students to learn the program by scaffolded instruction from the instructor. It gives students the experience of social awareness and can be a really fun and interactive activity to explore. You could use this in a middle school exploratory where some of the students may not have bought into music yet to get them involved in an activity.
Some disadvantages are that you do have to rely on your school providing computers, or your students having computers to try this application which might not be accessible in all schools. Another disadvantage is that there is only one person at a time and at the moment there is only one song available. This means you would have to let the kids wait their turn or rely on them all having computers to try it out.
This is a cross-curricular activity as you could use this in other classes besides music. PHE comes to mind and this could be a very fun recreational activity that students could enjoy instead of having to play a sport. This could be accessible for many learners who have challenges with physical education.
Overall this program is still in the beginning stages so there are many things that could be added in. It is important to realize that it will only get better over time as they refine the program. I still think it is a cool program to show students that they will buy into the software regardless of it needing some upgrades.
What strategies can we employ as educators to teach the ethical and productive use of AI?
Integrating dedicated modules on AI ethics within the curriculum enables critical discussions on the societal impact of AI.
Hands-on projects that require students to develop and use AI applications while considering ethical implications foster a practical understanding of how to properly use AI.
Encouraging debates between the students, and inviting guest speakers, including industry experts. This can broaden perspectives and provide real-world insights.
Trying a cross-curricular approach combining AI ethics with different school subjects and understanding the nature of ethical decision-making.
Continuous learning opportunities, community involvement, and leadership can further empower students to navigate AI’s complexities responsibly.
Be upfront with students on the use of AI in the classroom and what is allowed and not allowed within that class dynamic.
Try projects where they have to show their information rather than write their information in a document. This will hopefully encourage critical thinking and hopefully discourage plagiarism.
The Pacific Dogwood is a flowering tree native to the Pacific Northwest region of North America, particularly found along the coast from BC down to California. The flower of this tree is actually the provincial flower of BC and the high school graduation certificate is also named after this flower.
It is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree, reaching 6–23 meters tall. In recent years, Pacific Dogwoods have faced challenges due to habitat loss, climate change, and a fungal disease called “Dogwood anthracnose”, which can cause significant damage to the tree. There have been many conservation efforts to try and save it! The tree’s blooms are useful to many different animals in the ecosystem providing them with food and nutrients.
Some Indigenous tribes such as the Nlaka’pamux used the bark as a brown dye. They also used the bark for medicinal purposes as a blood purifier, lung strengthener, stomach treatment, and laxatives.
The Bigleaf Maple is the largest type of maple tree in Canada, reaching a height of 48 meters. It also has the largest leaves of any other maple tree. It can be found west of British Columbia’s Coast Ranges and the Cascade Range, from Vancouver Island to California. It usually grows from sea level to elevations of 450 m.
It usually grows on coarse, gravelly, moist soils, such as those found near rivers, lakes, or stream edges. It commonly grows in mixed groups of trees with red alder, black cottonwood, Douglas-fir, western redcedar, and western hemlock. This tree is also very beneficial for wildlife as squirrels, grosbeaks, and mice eat the seeds of bigleaf maples, and deer and elk eat the twigs.
Coastal Indigenous peoples used the wood to make dishes, pipes, and hooks for clothing. Many groups made paddles out of the wood and called it the paddle tree. They used the inner bark to make baskets, ropes, and whisks for whipping berries. In the Interior, Indigenous people ate the young shoots raw in the spring. They also made a type of maple syrup, but because the sap has a low sugar content, it takes a large quantity of sap to make a small amount of syrup. In a more commercial uses, it is used to make furniture, interior finishing, and even musical instruments.
The Douglas fir is an evergreen conifer species in the pine family. It is native to western North America and has 3 different varieties the Coastal Douglas Fir, the Rocky Mountain Douglas Fir, and the Mexican Douglas Fir (the Coastal variety is obviously my favourite!)
Douglas-firs are medium-sized to extremely large evergreen trees from 20–100 meters. The largest coastal Douglas-firs regularly live over 500 years, with the oldest specimens living for over 1,300 years! There are records of a former coastal Douglas Fir growing up to 120 meters in height which would have made it the tallest tree on Earth! This tree is also very important for wildlife and every part of this tree can be consumed by animals. It is said that small mammals such as moles, shrews, and chipmunks, consume an estimated 65% of each annual seed crop. The species is extensively used in forestry management as a plantation tree for softwood timber. Douglas-fir is one of the world’s best timber-producing species and yields more timber than any other species in North America
Many different Indigenous groups used the bark, resin, and needles to make herbal treatments for various diseases. Some tribes used the foliage as a hygienic freshener in sweat baths, and the leaves were used as a coffee substitute and for teas.
“Indigenous folklore weaves a story of a great forest fire and a mouse seeking refuge in the canopy of the tree. The Douglas fir thought its thick bark would protect it from the ravages of the fire below and invited the mouse and those that would follow, to climb into his massive canopy and find shelter in his cones.” If you look closely at the cone of a Douglas Fir you can see a little mouse tail and legs!
The Pacific madrone (commonly madrone or madrona in the United States and arbutus in Canada), is a species of broadleaf evergreen tree in the family Ericaceae, native to the western coastal areas of North America, from Vancouver Island to California. “Its waxy evergreen foliage, contorted growth habit, and distinctive flaky bark make it a striking sight in the coastal cliffs and hills where it is abundant.”
The Arbutus is a resilient tree but is also facing some challenges, including habitat loss and climate-related stressors. Efforts to protect and conserve this species are ongoing due to its ecological significance. It is illegal to cut down any Arbutus trees on Vancouver Island.
It is an evergreen tree about 10 to 25 meters in height but in the right conditions can grow up to 30 m. The thin bark is rich orange-red, and when mature naturally peels away in thin sheets, leaving a greenish-smooth appearance. In spring, the tree produces small white/pink bell-like flowers, and in autumn, red berries. Individual trees can live up to 300 years old.
Indigenous peoples ate the berries raw and cooked, but because the berries have a high tannin content, they more often chewed them or made them into a cider. Overeating causes cramps. They also use the berries to make necklaces and other decorations and as bait for fishing. Bark and leaves were used to treat stomach aches, cramps, skin ailments, and sore throats. The bark was often made into tea to be drunk for medicinal purposes.
The Garry Oak is my all-time favourite tree as I associate it with wonderful memories. When I was growing up My family lived in a small house on a quiet street in the middle of a Garry Oak Meadow. I associate the tree with calm and happy memories as I was constantly surrounded by them. My mom still lives in the same home and every time I visit the neighborhood, I still get that same feeling of happiness from the trees.
They have thick, grooved, scaly, greyish-black bark and grow up to 20 meters tall. It grows in southeastern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, with some isolated groups of trees in the lower Fraser Valley. Garry Oaks form open parkland and meadows. In the spring these meadows are scattered with herbs, camas, easter lilies, western buttercups, and shooting stars. These meadows are threatened by urban development and are an endangered species. Luckily they have many conversations based around them. Just like the Arbutus it is illegal to cut down a Garry Oak Tree without just cause. These meadows are incredibly important for wildlife.
Garry Oak wood was used by Coastal Indigenous peoples for combs and digging sticks as well as for fuel. They also ate the acorns either roasted or steamed. They managed the Garry oak ecosystem by underburning in order to cultivate a supply of camas bulbs. Camas was an important food source for many Coastal groups.
My Final Thoughts
As I come to a close on this inquiry blog project I want to reflect on my time and why I chose this topic. I recognize my privilege to have grown up in such a beautiful place surrounded by nature and gardens. My family always encouraged outdoor education, and it has been a very big part of my life. I grew up with my mom teaching me about how to garden and how to produce our own food, and my dad teaching me how to survive in the outdoors and appreciate the natural and native beauty around us on the island both on the land and on the ocean. I even went to an outdoor-based learning elementary school and looking back I never realized how big an impact these things had on my life. I am beyond grateful for my experiences and the ways that I am able to connect with the earth and the land around me. I am also grateful for my opportunity to work at a Garden Center and be surrounded by like-minded people who love to share knowledge about plants.
I have decided to attach some photos of my childhood home, and garden as well as some other photos of my appreciation of the outdoors in recent years!
Childhood homePart of the front yard gardenSide of the house gardenAnother photo of the side gardenHike to Mount. Albert EdwardWest Coast TrailStrathcona Park
Great question, this plant isn’t one that you would be able to find or grow in a garden but it is one that I just absolutely love! It is called the Ghost Pipe plant.
I have never heard of that before, can you tell me a little bit about it and why you like it?
Yeah definitely! It is such a cool and interesting plant and it is also super rare. I think that it only blooms once a year for a week and then it is gone again! It has just grown to look like what a plant SHOULD NOT look like which is really neat. I have seen it in the woods only a few times in my life, but every time I have seen it it has felt very special
Cool! Do you have any more information that you know about it?
It is native to North America, Northern parts of South America, and parts of Asia I’m pretty sure. It has a story from the Indigenous People of the Cherokee Nation. The legend states that the plant was named “Indian pipe” due to a group of chiefs quarreling without resolution, while passing a pipe around during the dispute; the Great Spirit then turned the chiefs into the plant, as they should have smoked the sacred pipe after making peace with each other. The plant is said to grow wherever friends have quarreled. It also relies on nutrients that are naturally found within the forest soil that you just cannot replicate in your personal garden which makes it one that you will just have to enjoy when you find it.
Thanks for sharing Wren, hopefully,I will be able to catch a glimpse of it one day!
In addition to various reported medical uses, the plant has been used as an anxiolytic in herbal medicine since the late 19th century. This may be due to the plant containing salicylic acid. It has been said that it tastes like asparagus once cooked.
Neural networks are deep learning. Essentially it is a system that takes in data to reflect an answer and then inputs that data into its system. Once it has inputted the data it goes through some hidden steps in its programming and then outputs the answer until it finds the correct one for that sequence or question it has been asked. It is the ability to automatically learn and improve from experience.
LLM’s are AI systems trained on vast amounts of tech. They are capable of performing natural language processing tasks such as translation, summarization, question answering, and conversation. They analyze patterns and structures in their training data and output what it thinks may come next.
I think that AI is really the next big thing and it is pretty well as influential as when the public began to have access to the internet. I think that AI is going to completely alternate our society as well as our classrooms and whether we like it or not, it is going to be here. I think just like when the internet first came out there was a lot of pushback, but eventually just became integrated into our teaching. This is exactly what we are going to have to do with AI. Of course, there are going to be many issues and some students may use it to their advantage, but we are all in the very starting stages of this, and I think that we have plenty of time to figure out how to use it in classroom setting. We need to keep classes innovative and I think implementing AI into your education is a great way to do that. Obviously, it should never be used as a crutch for learning but I think AI will be an incredibly valuable tool to take out the busy and mundane tasks and leave more time for students to critically and creatively think.
It incorporates game elements, game design principles, and game-like experiences to engage and motivate students while participating in educational activities to make learning more interactive, enjoyable, and effective.
What are the different types of game styles involved with gamification?
Gamification can develop abstract imaginative thinking and realize goals that they could not achieve in real life –Vygotsky
Can be any project that you want. Can be science-based or even creativity-based
FUN! Kids love Minecraft
Do you agree or disagree with this practice?
I think that everything has a time and place in moderation. I don’t think this should be the main form of how you teach content to your students, but if you can find a way to incorporate games into your curriculum you absolutely should! This is a very personal way to connect to students and may get them excited about school in ways you may never have seen before. We are seeing more and more children involved with video games outside of school, so the more ways that we can connect with them at a personal level the better! When I was in school I would have loved if my teachers used gamification in their lessons because I think it would have tricked me into thinking I was playing a game when I was actually just learning the subject in a different context.
This week I asked my co-worker Kathryn what her favourite plant was. She chose the Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba aka Maidenhair Tree) which is a deciduous conifer.
Kathryn: The Ginkgo really speaks to me! It is absolutely gorgeous and can grow to become too grand and tall. It makes me feel calm and just creates a very peaceful atmosphere and environment. It is also important to note that this is an ancient tree and it is the oldest living tree species in the world dating back to before dinosaurs even existed! (66-245 million years ago)
Me: Wow! That is honestly incredible! Why would you recommend this to people to add to their gardens?
Kathryn: This is a great tree to plant on the West Coast as well as in cities. They are resistant to pollutants, fungicides, insects, disease, bacteria, droughts, and smog. They are also just such a unique tree that often gets overlooked when people are looking to plant a tree in their yard. They are also pretty easy to care for and like I said they are resistant. The leaves are beautiful and add great fall colour to a yard. They also come in many different sizes so you can pick the one that will work best for you
Me: Just like many trees there are many different varieties, do you have a favourite?
Kathryn: Yes, my favourite has to be the Golden Globe. It is one of the smallest varieties and its vibrant yellow reminds me of sunshine which never fails to make me smile!
Choose a well-drained location with full to partial sun. Ginkgo trees are adaptable and can tolerate a wide range of soil types.
Watering:
Ginkgo trees are drought-tolerant once established but require regular watering during the first year or two after planting to help the roots establish. Water deeply and infrequently to encourage deep root growth.
Pruning:
Ginkgo trees have a natural pyramidal shape, so they generally don’t require much pruning. Prune for shape and remove any dead or damaged branches during the dormant season.
Fertilizing:
Ginkgo trees typically do not require heavy fertilization. If your soil is deficient in nutrients, you can apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring.
Mulching:
Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base of the tree to help retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds. Keep the mulch away from the trunk to prevent rot.
Leaf Drop:
Ginkgo trees are known for their distinctive fan-shaped leaves. In the fall, they turn a beautiful golden yellow and drop all their leaves within a short period. This is normal and not a cause for concern.
The Ginkgo has many medicinal properties! The tree is native to China so I think it is important to address how some of the Chinese people would have used and still use the Ginkgo. The leaves were used to treat brain, circulatory problems, andrespiratory conditions. Ginkgo nuts were used for cough, fever, diarrhea, toothaches, and even gonorrhea. It has also been used in treating blood disorders and memory issues. As well as the extract from ginkgo leaves is also promoted as a dietary supplement for many conditions, including anxiety, allergies, dementia, and eye problems.
What a fantastic plant with not only a beautiful aesthetic but also so many different uses!
A disclaimer is that I was away for this lesson so I will summarize what I think the learning was about but I cannot promise complete accuracy. Much information is taken from the slides created by Guillaume.
Accessibility in the classroom is when all learners have the same opportunities to acquire resources, interact with materials, engage in activities, and create content, regardless of disability.
What is digital accessibility?
Digital accessibility is the practice of removing barriers that prevent students from having interactions or access to websites, digital tools, and technologies
What are some basic principles of digital accessibility?
Perceivable: Everyone should be able to perceive the content, and input the information into their brain so that they can process it.
Operable: Everyone needs to be able to operate and navigate through the content.
Usable: Everyone should be able to use the content easily, without becoming lost or confused. Robust: Everyone should be able to access the content, regardless of the technology they are using to do so.
You should include tools that all your students will be able to access and not hinder anyone’s ability to learn. You can use:
Text: Ensure the proper use of headings, and hyperlinks to ensure your content is accessible
Images: You should always include alt-text for your images. This text-based description will be read aloud by a screen reader and is also what will show up if an image is unable to load.
Video & Audio: Add captions to your videos, and many services are available including YouTube. If creating in an audio format, provide a full-text transcript.
Equality, Equity, and Inclusion
What is Equality? The assumption is that everyone benefits from the same support. This is equal treatment.
What is Equity? Everyone gets the support they need, thus producing equity.
What is Inclusion? Inequity was addressed. The systemic barrier has been removed and everyone is able to access the tools and opportunities that they need
It is important that we are reaching every student and that we are providing accessibility resources, online tools, and even using appropriate language. It is important to remember that not every disability is visible or listed in an IEP. The more accessible that you make your teaching the more students you will make comfortable and feel safe and included in your classroom.
I could not interview any of my coworkers this week because I was in Vancouver for a Professional Development Conference. I have decided that since this is MY blog I should talk a little bit about my own plants, what my favourites are, and share some before and after photos. The majority of my plants are rescue plants or plants that we had to take off the sales floor at my work because they weren’t in perfect condition. Getting plants for free has been an incredible learning tool for me as there is much less pressure if it doesn’t end up surviving (which does happen unfortunately). Also, when the plants are coming to me in rough condition it is a great way to research that plant and learn how to take care of it to nurse it back to health. I absolutely recognize my privilege in this situation and I am very grateful that I have this learning opportunity and the chance to make my living space green for very little money!
If you remember back to the first post, my co-worker Erin talked about her favourite plant which was the Marble Pothos. My favourite plant is also in the same family and that is the Golden Pothos! I got my Golden Pothos around June and it had barely started to trail and also looked a little rough around the edges. Fast forward to today and my Pothos is growing NON-STOP! I need to figure out a way to hang it from the ceiling because it has reached the floor and is growing in every direction it can. It is my favourite plant because it’s extremely easy to take care of, adds depth to my living room and overall just makes me extremely happy to look at!
Image by Meghan Parker BEFORE
Image by Meghan Parker AFTER
The Living Room
The living room is my favourite room in my apartment. It also happens to be the room where the majority of my plants reside. They get a natural East light which is the morning sun. This is the most gentle sunlight they can get and I find this the easiest light condition to grow in. My plants seem to be doing alright too because they are thriving. They are all grouped together and this helps the high-humidity plants stay very happy! I have added a few pictures of plants in my living room and what my main set-up looks like.
Image by Meghan Parker
Image by Meghan Parker
Image by Meghan Parker
Image by Meghan Parker
Before and After
Since the main focus of my plants is rehabilitation, I would love to share some of my before and after photos to showcase some of the growth they have made over the past little while.
Image by Meghan Parker made using PicCollage
This is the Monstera Deliciosa. I got this plant as a sale plant from Canadian Tire because it was clearly being overwatered and possibly not enough light. You can tell because of the yellowing of the leaves on the plant. It is much healthier since I brought it home however it does need to desperately be repotted into a larger planter
Image by Meghan Parker made using PicCollage
This is a Ribbon Plant which is part of the Dracaena family. I got this plant brand new so there were technically no flaws with it. I think the craziest thing is just how fast it has been growing. I would say that it has grown over a foot in the span of 9 months which is insane! These plants can get very tall and there is a chance it can even get up to 6 feet tall in the next couple years with proper care. I have staked it up because of how fast it is growing, but this one also desperately needs to be repotted to allow for more growth!
Image by Meghan Parker made using PicCollage
This is a Philodendron. To be quite honest I’m still not 100% sure what type of Philodendron this is. There are over 450 varieties! I know that the leaf shape is the heart-shaped version but I would have to do a little more research to get the specifics. I rescued this plant from my work as they were going to throw it in the compost. It had an easy turnaround, and I think it was just getting improper lighting and attention to watering. Since I have gotten it it has grown 7 new leaves and an 8th is on the way. This plant is in my bedroom and gets indirect South facing light and it really seems to be thriving in that condition
Image by Meghan Parker using PicCollage
This is an Audrey Ficus and it may be up there for one of my favourite plants in the house. This plant was a gift from one of my co-workers because it wasn’t growing well in the conditions it had in their house. As soon as it got my my place it started to take a turn for the better and made tremendous growth in a very short span of time. I think in the span of 3 months it produced over 15 new leaves!
Image by Meghan Parker made using PicCollage
This is a Philodendron Giganteum. This was also a rescue plant from my work and to be honest I’m not 100% sure why because it seemed pretty healthy when I got it, so I am just thankful for the free plant. It has made quite a bit of growth in the last 2 months that I have had it and it needs to be staked up and repotted very soon. As you may be able to tell from the name. this plant can grow VERY large, especially in the wild!
Image by Meghan Parker made using PicCollage
This is a Dieffenbachia aka Dumb Cane. Despite its rude name, I think the Dumb Cane is a very lovely plant. This was one of my boyfriend’s old plants that he had in a basement suite with very minimal light. When we moved into our current place the plant started to flourish as it was finally getting the light it needed. After 1.5 years it is very healthy, very full, and still producing many new leaves.
Image by Meghan Parker made using PicCollage
This is a Spider Plant which I first got from the sale section at Canadian Tire. It seemed fine when I got it from the section, and it has been growing very well ever since. It has lost much of its curl, but that is a good thing as curling symbolizes that it is getting too much sunlight. It is growing very plentiful and is very happy in its indirect sunlight.
Conclusion
I hope that you enjoyed some of the plants from my own collection. This wasn’t the most educational blog post but I hope that you felt a little inspired by my collection that you too can also be a hoarder of houseplants! Happy planting 🙂
