This five-part story will be featured across each of the first five chapters of Nature Labs and will ask students to explore, through the lens of their class, the question of how Canada can protect our economy and sovereignty while still addressing the other challenges of our time, including biodiversity, the climate, and reconciliation.
As always, we don’t tell students what to think, but we do aim to make them rethink their assumptions and reimagine what’s possible when we work together.
Some new voices are featured in this video, as well as in our Podcast Pool, including Erin O’Toole, Heather Scoffield, Peter Biro, Kate Moran, Monte Solberg, and Pete Smith.
This story uses metaphors from the natural world to reflect on Canada’s identity, challenges, and future. It draws on the resilience of the marten, an animal that survives in harsh environments by finding its niche, to illustrate how Canada has long depended on geography, resources, and its proximity to the United States. This reliance, however, has left Canada vulnerable to trade disputes, inflation, and productivity challenges, raising questions about its need for new strategies.
The story shifts to glaciers, showing how their buffering capacity stabilizes ecosystems, communities, and even economies. As they melt due to climate change, the risks extend beyond water loss to biodiversity decline, extreme weather, and national security.
Finally, it highlights the interconnectedness of culture, ecology, and democracy, noting that climate disruption and species decline are not just environmental problems but systems-level crises that demand collective choices and new ways of thinking. The story encourages young Canadians to see the links between nature, economy, and society, and to reflect on what kind of future they want to help shape.
This story, both in video and written format, includes reflection questions, definitions and activities for ALL FIVE COURSES (Socials, Science, English, Art and Careers).
Stay tuned for Part Two November 1st!