Platform Questions
How easy is it to get started with Nature Labs?
So easy! Check out our virtual tour of the platform to see how it works.
Who developed Nature Labs?
An educator and storyteller developed Nature Labs! We spent a year researching and learning from the wisdom of 300 diverse citizens - including educators and students - before starting construction. And throughout our journey, we've continued to test the platform. Read more about our story and see how we brought Nature Labs to life.
What other materials do I need to use Nature Labs?
Nature Labs is a virtual classroom and an internet connection is required to use the platform. The content can be consumed through school computers and tablets, through home computers, tablets and phones, or by using a class projector. It’s recommended that teachers have a projector, if working through the material as a class, and that students have headphones if they're working on their own.
How is this different from a traditional textbook?
Nature Labs is an immersive, choose-your-own-adventure story that covers 5 different courses and can be used cross curricularly or for one to four classes on their own. With flexible and up to date material students will be able to consume fresh content.
Is Nature Labs only for Canadians?
No! Although our storytelling emanates from Canada's Rocky Mountains, and though the material references Canadian news and citizens, Nature Labs' themes and stories are designed to be relatable and suitable for classes around the world. We will note that our Social Studies course does focus on the Canadian government, but many of the principles apply to government structures globally. Check our Curriculum Connections page to see what topics are covered by Nature Labs.
Do students need their own login?
No! We know how hard it is to remember login information, so we've designed Nature Labs so that each class has its own password provided to the teacher at sign-up. We will not collect student information. Please have a read through our Privacy Policy for more details.
Can students work at their own pace?
Absolutely! Nature Labs is set up for maximum flexibility. Whether your class prefers to work in teams, on their own, or wants to split assignments between school and home, the content and instructions cater to the diverse needs of each student.
Is Nature Labs available for students with visual or other disabilities?
We're happy to say that most of the platform is suitable for the visually impaired. The content is almost always presented in multiple formats (eg. audio/text/video). If you have a student that requires specific material or access, please send us a note and we will try to help if possible.
Is the content only available to Grade 10 students?
No! Much of Nature Labs is suitable for grades seven and above, including college and university-level courses. Visit our Curriculum Connections page to see the specific curricula, courses and grades we cover. The flexibility of the platform allows educators to go deeper on the topics they're covering and expand on the themes presented throughout Nature Labs.
Do you have an App?
At this time we do not. But never say never!
Technical Questions
How do you protect student privacy?
We don't collect student information. Students are welcome to connect with us via social media, but we will not collect or save their information. We also follow digital best practices to ensure a safe space for student conversations. Though we don't monitor our social media channels 24/7, we do access them multiple times a day to ensure that conversations remain focused, relevant and positive. Please have a read through our Privacy Policy for more details.
What devices and browsers work best with Nature Labs?
We recommend a computer or tablet for best viewing, but most of the platform is mobile-friendly, with the exception of the ‘Virtual Experience’ map. All of the main course material and resources work on all devices, but again we do recommend a computer or tablet for the best experience. Chrome, Firefox and Safari are the recommended browsers. Please have a read through our Privacy Policy for more details.
How can I report an error or broken link on the platform?
We’re so sorry! The perils of a two-person team! We would SO appreciate knowing - send us a note (hello@naturelabs.ca) and we'll get it fixed right away.
What happens if I lose my username and password?
If you forget either, you can immediately request your information by clicking on ‘forgot username or password’.
Do you offer ongoing support for the Nature Labs platform?
We do! If you have any questions or concerns, send us a note. We will try to respond within 24 hours.
Something isn’t loading on the platform. What do I do?
Try deleting your cache and history, or send us a note (hello@naturelabs.ca) if you are still having a problem. Sometimes internet gremlins strike!
How long does it take to access Nature Labs?
Your order is processed immediately! Once you've signed-up through our secure site, you can access Nature Labs. Just follow the instructions to give students.
Donation Questions
What form of donations do you accept, and is it safe?
We accept donations through our Patreon page, as well as PayPal, which allows you to use your Visa, MasterCard or PayPal account for easy and secure payment. You will be charged immediately after your donation. See our Privacy Policy for more information. Our website uses encryption technology which allows you to donate safely and securely. The SSL technology is site wide. Any questions or concerns about donations not covered in the FAQ? Send us a note!
Do you have any physical products, such as information posters or instruction materials?
We do have a shop with our images available. If you are you looking a specific hard-copy of something you've seen on Nature Labs, let us know and we'll see what we can do!
Can I donate to Nature Labs over the phone, by mail or via email?
If you feel more comfortable donating offline, please send us a note (hello@naturelabs.ca) and we'll be happy to help.
Where does my donation go?
Nature Labs is entirely funded by crowd-source donations in order to avoid real or perceived biases that stem from large granting and corporate sponsorship. We depend on donations to keep the web site online, develop our content, maintain our equipment and keep focused on Nature Labs each and every day. With more support, we can do so much more! And we're grateful for each and every donation, as you're the reason Nature Labs exists.
Why Nature?
Balancing the needs of people and nature is vague. We get that. And it’s intentional.
Why?
We didn’t have to pick nature – two bears – as our metaphor for the challenges we face or the lessons that must be taught. There are always other metaphors. There are always more pressing issues, more socially relevant issues. But for each of those issues – rightly or wrongly – we can’t always agree on right or wrong. Or even where to start.
But nature? We know that before we start debating the value of a park – and before we get into how best to, yes, balance people and nature – if we stop and really look at this?
We can all agree that this is beautiful.
By really stopping to appreciate this scene together, we can see that our natural inheritance is our common humanity. It is what makes us equal. It is what unites us.
Remember what we said when we started: it’s impossible for everyone to agree on how best to strengthen our economy or advance social justice or steward our natural environment. But by finding a common starting point – by using nature to move us away from what we disagree with and toward what we can agree on – we hope that we’ve helped you be more open to listening and learning from those you agree with and those you don’t. Even more importantly, we hope we’ve helped you reimagine what’s actually possible when we work together.
Just like our two bears.
That’s why this is Nature Labs and that’s why our challenge to you is to balance the needs of people and nature. It’s something absolutely critical and it’s a gateway to so much more.
So, what should balancing people and nature look like to you? No clue! And that’s the point. Even if nature is the metaphor – the lens – you can take this in any direction you want.
Maybe you think the best way of balancing people and nature is to ensure every Canadian has an affordable home, because it’s only with this type of security that our population can turn their attention to safeguarding biodiversity. That’s fair.
Maybe you believe that Indigenous and non-Indigenous members of your community need to gather and really listen to each other’s hopes and fears before trust can be built to work together to balance people and nature. Good idea.
Maybe you think the loss of a species in your region will cause a cascade-effect that will not only harm the ecosystem you call home, but will destroy the economic and cultural cornerstones that make this place a good home. For you, maybe you want to change development or recreational practices or protect habitat. That’s a worthy idea too.
Maybe you think we need to help an industry under siege stay viable to support jobs that, byway of taxpayer dollars, will fund that better balance between people and nature. Or maybe you think we just need to invest in your new innovation because, if it succeeds, that’s how we can balance people and nature. Or maybe you think we just need newer nature stories, as that will inspire the population to think of better ways to balance people and nature. Brilliant! Awesome! Absolutely!
You see where we’re going with this? All of these ideas are right. Your idea is right. That’s how we want you to envision balancing the needs of people and nature.
We’re not here to tell you what to think, just to make sure that you do think. And as long as you are thinking critically and are doing your research and are listening and weighing the opinions of those you disagree with? Your idea will contribute to a better Canada and a better world; your idea will help create a better balance between people and nature. As we keep saying: you’ve got this!
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