About Natural Curiosity

In 2011, Natural Curiosity set out to demonstrate how an inquiry-based approach could enable educators to meet Ministry expectations to include environmental education throughout the curriculum. Natural Curiosity introduced a four-branch framework for environmental inquiry based on a transformative vision of education, dynamically combining inquiry-based learning, experiential learning, integrated learning, and stewardship. Natural Curiosity’s message spread widely through partnerships with schools, communities, and faculties of education, professional development workshops, and by word of mouth among enthused practitioners. More than 20,000 copies of the First Edition have been distributed to date.

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The driving motivation for a second edition was the burning need, in the wake of strong and unequivocal recommendations by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to bring Indigenous perspectives into the heart of Canadian educational settings, most notably in connection with environmental issues. Momentum gathered as points of convergence (as well as discontinuities) between Natural Curiosity’s approach and certain Indigenous perspectives were identified. Doug Anderson, who has thought long and deeply about such matters, agreed to articulate these perspectives in this edition; other experts offered their insights, and a project was launched. Natural Curiosity 2nd Edition is currently being brought to life across Turtle Island, as educators continue to embrace the possibilities offered by this evolving approach and, with their students, find new ways to meaningfully and joyfully engage with the natural world.