Dome Greenhouse – A Community Cornerstone
Since its construction in 2014, WEI’s greenhouse dome has been a vital addition to the Learning Garden outside Mah-Sos School. The dome has nurtured numerous seedlings, hosted community events, and become a cornerstone for our community’s growth and sustainability efforts.
The greenhouse dome serves as a living classroom where students and community members have learned about sustainability, plant life cycles, and ecological stewardship. From water conservation and composting to soil health, the dome has offers hands-on learning experiences that connect students to the environment and foster a sense of responsibility for the land.
Currently, we are engaging students in the redesign of the dome, involving them in discussions on how to best use the space in the future. Students are gaining ownership over the project, contributing ideas for new ways to integrate the dome into their learning. This collaborative approach helps students develop leadership skills while ensuring the dome continues to meet the community's educational needs.
In collaboration with Mah-Sos School, the dome is undergoing a redesign that will allow it to function year-round as a four-season outdoor classroom. This refit will not only repair the current torn roof but also enhance the dome’s ability to serve as a space for environmental education. Students will be able to transition from germinating seeds in class to tending plants in the dome, and finally, cultivating them in the garden—creating a continuous cycle of learning and growth.
The dome has also become a hub for community engagement, hosting events that bring together elders, students, and families. Elders share traditional knowledge about plants, medicines, and farming techniques, passing this wisdom to younger generations in a meaningful and interactive way.
We are excited about this new phase and look forward to sharing more updates as the project continues to evolve and further serve our community’s educational and environmental needs.
Outdoor Trail System – A Living Classroom and Community Asset
Originally constructed in 2012 through the efforts of our high school development program, the outdoor trail has transformed from undeveloped land into a vibrant, multi-functional space that serves both educational and community needs. What began as a simple project has now blossomed into a seven-classroom outdoor trail, offering a unique environment for hands-on learning and exploration.
The trail has been a true community effort, with all projects being student-led, providing students with hands-on workforce development skills that have real, tangible impacts on their community. Over the years, we’ve built six boardwalks, several bridges, and an observation deck, all designed to enhance both the functionality and beauty of the trail. Each of these projects has allowed students to engage in problem-solving, construction, and environmental stewardship while gaining practical skills in areas like carpentry and project management.
In 2023, an architecture class from Dalhousie University partnered with us to help design and set up our seven distinct outdoor classrooms. Their architectural expertise has added a thoughtful, structured element to the trail’s design, ensuring that the classrooms are both functional and inspiring for learners of all ages.
Signage along the trail identifies native plants, animals, and habitats, making it an interactive educational resource. These signs have been instrumental in connecting students and visitors alike with the natural environment, providing insights into local biodiversity and ecological systems.
We’ve also had the privilege of welcoming students from Mount Allison University, who come annually to work alongside community members to further enhance the trail’s outcomes and functionality. Their contributions help elevate the trail’s design and usability, creating an even richer experience for students and visitors alike.
In the future, we plan to offer teachable outcomes for each of the seven classrooms along the trail, directly linking them to both academic curriculum and cultural teachings. This will create a seamless learning experience where students can gain knowledge in science, history, and Indigenous cultural practices, all while immersed in nature. We also plan to incorporate the identification of cultural medicinal plants, further integrating traditional knowledge into our educational programming.
The outdoor trail serves as a living classroom, allowing students to connect learning with nature. From science and ecology lessons to physical education and team-building activities, the trail has become a dynamic space for learning outside traditional classroom walls. It also functions as a community gathering spot, offering a peaceful retreat for those who wish to explore, reflect, or engage in outdoor activities.
We are excited about the continuous development of this space and the role it plays in fostering environmental awareness, community pride, and real-world skill-building for our students.
Since opening our doors at the Tobique Youth Center in 2018, the WEI office has served as a vibrant hub of technology, creativity, and collaboration. Over the years, as we’ve grown with the community, we have continuously redesigned our space to ensure it remains functional, inspiring, and welcoming to all.
Our office is now more vibrant and dynamic than ever, providing a modern environment where students, staff, and community members can gather, learn, and innovate. The space is not only a headquarters for the Wolastoq Education Initiative but also a community resource, equipped with cutting-edge technology that is at the fingertips of our community members.
This office isn’t just a place for work; it’s a space where community members, especially youth, come to engage in hands-on learning. With access to tools like 3D printers, Glowforge laser cutters, and xTool screen printers, students can work on creative projects that have real-world applications, such as designing custom merchandise or building prototypes for local initiatives. This combination of technology and workspace encourages students to experiment, solve problems, and develop technical skills that will benefit them in future careers.
The open layout of the office fosters teamwork and collaboration between students, staff, and community members. The variety of workstations—from computer stations to the workbench and tool wall—provides flexibility for people to contribute in their own ways. Whether working on a group project or independently, students have the opportunity to develop not just technical skills but also communication, project management, and leadership.
The office is equipped with the latest technology, enhancing both learning and productivity. From 3D design software to virtual reality (VR) equipment, students can explore new environments or concepts in science, history, and design. Whether they are coding with Sphero robotics or developing new designs on the Glowforge, students have access to tools that allow them to bring their ideas to life.
The tools and resources in our office are not only for educational purposes but are applied to community projects, making the office an incubator for real-world skill development. The projects completed here—whether designing community signage, creating products for fundraising, or crafting event materials—are used throughout Tobique. This ensures that students see the impact of their efforts, contributing to the community in tangible ways.
One of the key elements of our space is the community-run radio station, 99.9 FM SFN-TFN, known as "Station For The Nation." The station provides a platform for local voices, music, and programming, contributing to the cultural fabric of our community. It also serves as a learning tool for students interested in media, communication, and broadcasting, giving them hands-on experience in a live radio environment.
In addition to the current offerings, we are planning to construct a soundproof booth within the office. This booth will provide a quiet, dedicated space for tutoring sessions and recording projects, ensuring students have a silent area for focused work. These plans are part of our ongoing commitment to creating an environment that meets the diverse needs of our community members, both in education and in creative expression.
The office reflects the community’s values, blending modern technology with elements of traditional craftsmanship. The hand-built desks and shelving units echo a connection to traditional skills, while the cutting-edge tools bridge the gap between old and new. The space is designed with sustainability in mind, allowing students to engage in sustainable practices such as upcycling materials and minimizing waste in production.
The overall design of the space intentionally incorporates elements of local culture with modern functionality. From the hanging canoe to large communal worktables, the space feels open, inviting, and conducive to collaboration. The chalkboard-style scheduling system and organized tool wall foster a sense of ownership and responsibility among students and staff alike, keeping the workspace efficient and flexible for a variety of projects.
We are proud of how this space has contributed to the growth of the Wolastoq Education Initiative and how it continues to inspire creativity, foster learning, and empower the next generation of leaders.
268 Main Street
Tobique NB, E7H 2Y8
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1 506 273 8579
info@wolastoqed.com
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