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Complete

Chapter ONE

The System of Things

Part One

Lesson Media
  • Watch video (overview of concepts in this chapter)
  • Learn why we use nature as our metaphor
  • Reflect (activities and discussions)

Part Two

Activities
  • Break down concepts and definitions
  • Test your comprehension
  • Apply your knowledge

Part Three

Inquiry Media
  • Watch video that relates concepts to the real world
  • Reflect and discuss

Part One

Why does visual storytelling matter? The story about storytelling (yes, the story about stories) below.

Why Nature?

We use nature as a metaphor to help explain your class lesson. Why?

Find out!

Read Story Instead

Prefer reading instead? Here's the text version of your lesson.

Go!

Questions & Activities

Reflect on your lesson with short activities, or by exploring referenced articles, featured podcasts, term definitions, and more!

Go!

Featured Hot Take

Are the big, complex systems in our society important? Can they evolve? Absolutely! Just ask Rt. Hon. Kim Campbell, Canada’s first – and so far only – female prime minister. 

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.

More on Rt. Hn. Kim Campbell

Reflection

  • Do you agree that our democracy is fragile? And, if it is, how can we contribute to its health?
  • Should more of us consider running for office, or is it fair to say that politics – and party politics specifically – isn’t for everyone?
  • Is voting during an election all that's required to be a good citizen, or is more required of us?
  • Are too many of us giving up important decisions to a small group of political power brokers?
  • Is visual storytelling an effective tool to advance good policy?
  • How can we each help advance good policy?
  • If you could propose one new policy, what would it be and how would you use visual storytelling to make your case?
  • In what ways can visual storytelling be used to highlight underrepresented voices and issues in the political sphere?

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.

Truth vs Lie

What do you already know? Try to trick your classmates in a friendly game of two truths and a lie.

FInd out!

Know the Terms

What terms and concepts will you discover in this unit? Learn and practice, and practice again!

Start

Jeopardy

The classic game, with an educational twist. Apply what you have learned so far and compete to win!

What is...

Pinteresting

Create a Pinterest board to post ideas and questions that have come up during this class. It's like note-taking, but visual and way more fun!

Pin it!

Discuss

Have a conversation with your classmates to help each other better understand what you'll be learning in this class. * Recommended

Discuss

Part Three

HOW DOES THIS CLASS RELATE TO REAL-WORLD ISSUES?

Inquiry Media

Are we loving nature to death?

Go!

Canada at a Crossroads

NEW: Inquiry Media Series

This five-part story will be featured across each of the first five chapters of Nature Labs and will ask students to explore the question of how Canada can protect our economy and sovereignty while still addressing the other challenges of our time.

Go!

Further Exploration

Latest News

Exciting Announcement: Section1.ca!

News
Nature Labs is thrilled to announce an exciting partnership with Section1.ca’s Students in Democracy Education (S.I.D.E.) - a dynamic and forward-thinking resource that invites...
Read more

Tomorrow, We’re Still Canada

News
Well, we can't touch 'em all, Joe. And today, that one hurt. But being Canadian was never about touching them all. It’s about lacing up anyway....
Read more

Alberta Announces Province-Wide Vote on Immigration Policy

News
What’s happening Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced that the province will hold a province-wide referendum on October 19, 2026. Albertans will be asked several questions about...
Read more
Load more

Resources From the Curated Library

Compromise vs. Compromising: More of the First, Less of the Latter

Sub-Category: Problem Solving Source: Thin Difference File Type: Article Overview: The difference between compromise and compromising Web Link: https://www.thindifference.com/2015/12/compromise-vs-compromising-more-of-the-first-less-of-the-latter/

What is Problem Solving and Why is it Important?

What is Problem Solving and Why is it Important? Sub-Category: Problem Solving Source: MIT File Type: Guide Overview: An introduction to problem...

The Irreplaceable Value of Human Decision-Making in the Age of AI

Bias: none Source: Harvard Business Review File Type: Essay Overview: The Irreplaceable Value of Human Decision-Making in the Age of AI Web...

From Purpose to Impact

Bias: Centre Right Sub-Category: Process vs Product Source: Harvard Business Review File Type: Essay Overview: Purpose to impact: how you can lead change Web...

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...
More From the Curated Library

Image (Story) Development Strategies

Nature Labs
Image development strategies refer to enhancing an image or story in the eyes of a specific audience. It refers to various techniques and approaches...
Read more

How to Research and Tell a Good Story

English Resources
What does good research look like? How do you become a good researcher? And how do you transform research into an impactful story? Great...
Read more

Additional Resources

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Unit completion

Chapters

Chapter One

The System of Things

You are here!

Chapter Five

Here’s How

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Chapter Nine

Own Your Hypocrisy

Go

Chapter Two

The Context of It All

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Chapter Six

Your Turn

Go

Chapter Ten

Keep Going

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Chapter Three

We Don’t Know What We Don’t Know

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Chapter Seven

Dig Deeper

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Chapter Eleven

One Last Thing

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Chapter Four

Hard Stuff is Hard

Go!

Chapter Eight

Be Better

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Chapter Twelve

The End (of the Beginning)

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