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Chapter Two
The Context of It All
Part One
CONTEXTUALIZING CONTEXT
Continue Chapter Two
For a little context on why context is important, continue the story below!
Hot Takes
Danijela Puric-Mladenovic
When we think about forests, we think about towering ancient trees like those found on Canada’s west coast. What we don’t often think about...
Art Carson
Art Carson is a throwback. He’s a true mountain man, relying heavily on his own skills to live at the edge of an unforgiving...
Reflection Activity
- Option One: Write a self-reflection on the story. Did you enjoy it? What did you learn? How did it make you feel and think?
- Option Two: Design a poster that celebrates the most interesting fact you learned in this story.
- Option Three: Find three websites or articles that relate to themes presented in this story. Explain why you selected them.
Part Two
THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES WILL HELP YOU BETTER UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPTS YOU NEED TO LEARN IN THIS CLASS. YOUR TEACHER WILL SELECT WHICH ACTIVITIES YOU NEED TO COMPLETE BELOW.
Defining Your Community
Who are your people? Why do you need them? Get to know yourself and your communities.
Mapping Biodiversity
What's your natural context? Find and map the biodiversity hotspots in your community.
Understanding Your Views
How has your upbringing shaped who you are? Why is it important to understand the context of others?
What's Your Context?
How do you think we should balance people and nature? Start brainstorming your ideas and questions. * Recommended
How To Research
You get that research matters, but how to actually do it? And how can good research drive good storytelling? We have the answers!
The Curated Library
Understand the context. Use the Curated Library to compare and contrast different perspectives on an issue that interests you.
Part Three
HOW DOES THIS CLASS RELATE TO REAL-WORLD ISSUES?
Inquiry Media

Can we save every species?
Featured Hot Take
We all need a little context. How to get it? Pollsters help! And few are as informed as Shachi Kurl, the Executive Director of the Angus Reid Institute. She took time away from analyzing the news – and our opinions on the news – to join us in conversation.
We’re featuring this podcast across all five Nature Labs subjects. You might not like every course you take in school, but they are all related. By listening to this podcast, hopefully you’ll better understand why.
- Does polling inform better decisions? Does it help create more empathy for those we disagree with?
- How valuable is it to have unbiased, impartial research to better understand public opinion?
- Do you believe polling can be unbiased? Or can the questions that drive research polls be loaded or leading, helping create answers that reinforce certain perspectives?
- How do we create more movements that unify, rather than divide? Does it begin with story?
- How can a better understanding of our neighbours, and our nation, inform better stories?
Further Exploration
Latest News
Happy Canada Day!
On this Canada Day, we celebrate a country defined by its vast beauty, quiet strength, and deep sense of community. From the rugged coastlines...
Mount Robson Field Trip
It's our final week of live content on Nature Labs, as we want you to focus on your final projects and exams. To celebrate...
The Year That Was (Sept. 2024 – May 2025)
And what a year it's been. The news cycle never slowed. Your classes have never been more relevant or more important given our ever-changing...
Resources From the Curated Library
How your brain works and how it tackles problems
How your brain works and how it tackles problems
Sub-Category: Problem Solving
Source: Khan Academy
File Type: Video
Overview: Learn about types of problems and common approaches to solving them.
Web Link: https://www.khanacademy.org/science/health-and-medicine/executive-systems-of-the-brain/cognition-lesson/v/problem-solving
“Let’s Agree to Disagree.” I Don’t Agree to That.
"Let's Agree to Disagree." I Don't Agree to That.
Sub-Category: Problem Solving
Source: Big Think
File Type: Essay/Analysis
Overview: Should we agree to disagree
Web Link: https://bigthink.com/the-proverbial-skeptic/lets-agree-to-disagree-i-dont-agree-to-that
Should we move beyond compromise when trying to solve problems?
Should we move beyond compromise when trying to solve problems?
Bias: Centre
Sub-Category: Problem Solving
Source: TED
File Type: Video
Overview: Should we move beyond compromise when trying to solve problems?
What is Context
What is it?
Context refers to the circumstances, environment, background or setting that surrounds and influences a particular situation, event or communication. It's the information...
Additional Resources
- How to Improve Your Research Skills: 6 Research Tips
- Principles of Learning of First Peoples
- Difference Between Fact and Opinion
- Ten Tips for Effective Research Writing
- Advice for Students: 10 Steps Toward Better Research
- Basic Steps in the Research Process
- JSTOR: Explore the world’s knowledge, cultures, and ideas
- Google Scholar
- The Top 21 Free Online Journal and Research Databases
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