At St. Thomas Aquinas High School, learning is going beyond the classroom and into the greenhouse with the growing success of the Green Industries course.
Now in its third year at STAHS and led for the first time by teacher Ashley Shouldice, this unique technology course is giving students hands-on experience in a wide range of environmentally focused fields. Designed as a skill-based class, similar to culinary or construction programs, Green Industries allows students to learn by doing.
Open to students in Grades 10 through 12, the course introduces five key areas: floristry, forestry, horticulture, agriculture, and landscaping. Each unit provides practical, real-world experiences that help students explore potential career paths while building valuable life skills.
One of the highlights this semester is the class's work in floristry. Students are currently growing red and white flowers that will be used in arrangements for STAHS' spring banquets, including Stellars and Athletics celebrations. In preparation for prom season, students will also learn how to create bouquets, corsages, and boutonnieres with guidance from local business Sparkling Dahlia. These handmade pieces will be available for purchase at STAHS Prom in May, giving students a chance to apply their skills in a real entrepreneurial setting. Students will also gain insight into starting a small business in the green industry sector.
Beyond the classroom, students will take part in experiential learning opportunities, including a visit to Weyerhaeuser, where they will explore sustainable forestry practices and participate in fieldwork with trees. These experiences help connect classroom learning to real-world environmental stewardship.
A major addition to the program this year is the school's new greenhouse, which will become the class's primary learning space beginning in April. Here, students will expand their growing efforts to include vegetable seedlings and other plants, with plans to offer spring seedlings for sale to the school community.
The course will also introduce students to landscaping fundamentals. As a culminating experience, students will have the opportunity to design and develop a designated outdoor space on school grounds, leaving a lasting impact on the STAHS environment.
Currently following the Ontario curriculum course code THJ3E, the Green Industries program continues to evolve. Looking ahead, there are plans to expand the program into separate courses for each grade level, allowing students to further specialize and deepen their learning.
With its blend of hands-on learning, community partnerships, and real-world applications, the Green Industries class at STAHS is cultivating more than just plants - it's growing skills, creativity, and future opportunities for students.
