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YOUTH ARE AWESOME

Youth Are Awesome, commonly referred to as YAA, is a blog written by youth for youth. YAA provides the youth of Calgary a place to amplify their voices and perspectives on what is happening around them. Youth Are Awesome is a program of Youth Central.

Any views or opinions expressed on this blog belong solely to the author and do not represent those of people or organizations that the blog may be associated with, unless explicitly stated. All content is for informational purposes only.

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How do light bulbs function?

Hanrong
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0
How do light bulbs function?

The light bulb–a transformative invention

Personally, I view the invention of the light bulb as a major breakthrough in human history. Before the light bulb was invented, people depended significantly more on the natural cycles of sunrise and sunset for their schedule. After its invention, the world would never the same.

Historically, the invention of the light bulb coincided with the discovery new science principles about electricity. This period of rapid expansion of knowledge occurred in the mid-nineteenth century, regarding electromagnetic induction. It also contributed to the discovery of the motor and generator effects, which are both crucial to understanding electricity in greater detail from a physics perspective.

The process of inventing

The light bulb itself was created in the 1870s. According to this article from HowStuffWorks, there was a rush for inventors to “devise a practical, affordable electrical home lighting device” at the time. Thomas Edison was widely credited as the inventor of the light bulb; although Edison created the light bulb with “only a handful of parts,” modern bulbs are actually not too much more complex! Let’s dive into the technology itself.

The light bulb operates based on the principles of atomic theory. Specifically, atoms release photons (energy particles in light) after their electrons become excited. This is the reason we see light from bulbs at all. All light bulbs possess a thin metal filament, which can be heated to extremely high temperatures. Often, the inside of the glass bulb is filled with an inert gas, to allow for the higher filament temperatures as well.

As the bulb is connected to a power supply, the electric current flows into the bulb, then moves to the filament. There, the electrons “bump into” the metal atoms present, heating these atoms up. The free-moving electrons from the power source also boost the vibrating atoms’ bound electrons temporarily to a higher orbital (or energy level) within their electron cloud. As previously mentioned, the bound electrons will eventually fall to their normal level or orbital, releasing light particles.

Tungsten

Tungsten is perhaps the most widely-used metal in the light bulb filaments. It is extremely thin, but very long, allowing it to be “arranged in a double coil” to “fit it all in a small space.” Tungsten is one of the ideal choices for making a light bulb, because it can be heated to extreme temperatures without melting. Its atoms are bonded quite strongly to each other, and can resist disintegrating, even as they collide with the electrons from the current. However, the incandescent light bulbs that use tungsten are generally inefficient. Only a small fraction of emitted light photons from these bulbs actually belong to the visible spectrum–that is, light we humans can see.

It is because of this that newer technologies have been developed over time, to increase the energy efficiency of light bulbs. New technologies includes the LED and more; check out this article for more information about LED!

An important tool for humanity

It is hardly an overstatement to say that the light bulb is one of the most transformative inventions in the last few centuries of human history. Light bulbs allowed society to further develop, and today, we find that we use this technology every day in our lives. In so many ways, we depend on electricity for basic necessities and for entertainment. The light bulb is truly a significant invention, and it continues to shape our world, even to this day.

Annotating Books: A Beginner’s Guide

Suha A
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0
Annotating Books: A Beginner’s Guide

Almost every reader with internet access and a Pinterest account is familiar with book annotating. Book annotating nowadays usually involves writing notes or reactions in the book, drawing little pictures, and using tabs and highlighters to mark impactful quotes/moments. Although, seeing how advanced and detailed some people’s annotations are can be intimidating and discourage you from reaping all the benefits that this activity comes with. You may even be yawning at this blog post, thinking, “What’s the point?”

It seems like a lot of effort and time, which it can be if you decide to annotate that way. It also seems pointless, and scary. I have definitely felt this way before, and to this day, I usually don’t annotate by writing directly in the book because of the fear of messing up and ruining the pages. Although, I have recently begun annotating two books that I’m currently reading, and it’s been a freeing experience. I’m a beginner to this craft as well, so here’s my perspective on how to start book annotating in the most effective way.

This blog post is not meant to force you to write in your favourite books with pen or permanently alter the book in any way, unless you’re comfortable with doing so. I’m a firm believer in the idea that if you spent your own money on the book, you get to choose what to do with it. If you don’t want to annotate, don’t annotate! Although, if you’re curious, stick around for why I found annotating helpful and which parts of it I didn’t enjoy as well.

Annotating Pros and Cons: Why You Should or Shouldn’t Annotate

Annotating books can help you connect better with the text and understand underlying themes. Some say it helps them get more invested in the plot. Although, annotating can also take up a huge portion of time and slow down your reading pace, as well as distract you from actually reading. Maya from Medium states, “Some people might find this practice distracting and damaging to the book (myself included). But you can choose how you annotate, which will significantly affect your experience. Make it as expressive, or keep it as simple as you like.”

  • Jason Goodman – Unsplash

    Pros: 

    • 1. Improves comprehension: Writing notes or underlining helps you engage more deeply with the material, making it easier to understand and remember.

    • 2. Makes reviewing easier: When you come back later to look back into the book, your annotations help you quickly find key moments and quotes that you may want to refer to.

    • 3. Encourages critical thinking: Asking questions or making comments in the margins forces you to think more critically about what you’re reading. It’ll help you ask important questions about the plot and characters and you can better analyze the text.

    • 4. Personal connection to the text: Annotations can reflect your personal reactions, emotions, or thoughts, making the reading experience more meaningful. You can get a lot more out of the book this way.

  • Cons: 

    • 1. Time-consuming: Stopping to highlight or write notes slows down your reading, which can be frustrating if you’re on a schedule.

      2. Can be distracting: Focusing on making annotations might pull you out of the narrative or main idea.

      3. Clutters the page: Too many notes or highlights can make the page look messy and harder/more distracting to read later.

      4. Not ideal for borrowed books: If the book isn’t yours (library or friend’s), you usually can’t write in it. Although, you can find alternatives like using sticky notes and tabs to ensure you don’t permanently damage the pages.

      5. Can lead to over-annotation: Highlighting everything defeats the purpose, it’s easy to go overboard with your annotating and realize you actually don’t understand anything about

Annotating Supplies & Materials 

To annotate, people use a wide array of materials. Before you begin, you should check if the materials you choose to use will damage the book or not. Some pens can bleed through the pages and other pens have runny ink, which will lead to messy pages and make annotating more frustrating than fun. Here are examples of materials that you may choose to use on your annotating journey.

Nathan Dumlao – Unsplash

  • Pens & Pencils: For writing margin notes, underlining, or drawing symbols. Pencils are great if you want to erase and are scared of making a permanent mistake.

  • Highlighters: For marking key points. Consider using different colors for themes, characters, or important quotes. I’ll talk about annotating legends later on in this post.

  • Sticky Notes / Page Flags / Tabs: Great for adding notes without writing directly on the page. Also useful for marking pages to revisit.

  • Notebook or Reading Journal: For more detailed notes, reflections, or summaries that don’t fit in the margins. Making a scrapbook for your book can also be a fun activity.

  • Colored Pens or Markers: Helps with color-coding notes by theme, topic, or emotion. Make sure the markers don’t bleed through the pages by testing them out on a separate sheet of paper before using them in the book.

  • Ruler: For drawing neat lines or boxes around important passages. Also used for underlining quotes.

  • Annotating Legends: Assigning specific colors to specific things that you want to look  for in the book. For example, someone may choose to use blue tabs/highlighters/pen to mark their favourite quotes in a book. When you’re looking for something specific in the book, having a legend can help you find it quicker and organize your thoughts.

How You Can Get Started

Beku Kanomi – Unsplash

To begin annotating, start by reading through the text to get a general understanding. Use tools like highlighters, notes, or symbols to mark key ideas, unfamiliar words, and your personal reactions. Focus on identifying main points, asking questions, and making connections. Ensure you prioritize quality over quantity, having too many annotations can be hard to keep up with and make the whole process.

Creating a legend is ideal when you’re annotating multiple different elements of the text. For example, you can assign the colour blue to highlight your favourite quotes, or use green sticky notes to mark pages with scenes that emotionally impacted you. You can choose to write your legend down on the inside cover of the book, or use a sticky note and place it in the cover instead. Ensure your legend doesn’t contain too many categories at first, since this will make the activity more frustrating and stressful than fun.

At the end of the day, annotating is supposed to be creative and enjoyable, meaning you can annotate however you’d like. This activity can be both stress-relieving and calming for those who enjoy it, so if you like to read, give it a shot!

TL;DR

  • This blog post presents you with different ways to annotate books, and examples of materials you could use to do so.
  • Book annotating is a creative way to engage deeper with your novel by marking important quotes, writing down thoughts, or using tabs and colors to organize ideas.
  • While it can seem intimidating or time-consuming, it’s totally customizable since you can keep it simple or go all out.
  • Annotating can help improve comprehension and personal connection to a book, but it’s not for everyone. If you’re curious but unsure how to start, this post breaks down the pros and cons of this activity, suggests beginner-friendly tools, and offers tips for getting started without placing too much pressure on yourself

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4

What Are Plyometrics? How Can It Improve Your Athletic Performance

Bowen Zheng
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What Are Plyometrics? How Can It Improve Your Athletic Performance

Plyometrics, also known as explosive training or “plyos”, are exercises that focus on increasing speed and agility through high intensity motions and movements. Plyometrics focus on fast and explosive actions that utilize fast twitch muscle fibers to develop a sturdier foundation for athletic performance and speed.

 

What Do They Consist Of?

Specifically, plyometric exercises involve the stretching of a muscle, which is followed by an instant contraction. This is often referred to as the stretch-shortening cycle. A common example of a plyometric exercise is a jump squat. When you’re doing a jump squat, the stretching of the muscle occurs when you lower into the squat; the contraction occurs when you explode and jump upwards, using stored energy to shoot yourself upwards. Plyometric exercises are also especially important for athletes because it trains their muscles to generate power in a short period of time.

Free Basketball Sports photo and picture

How Does It Improve Athletic Performance?

Plyometrics can be beneficial to your athletic performance in a variety of ways. These make plyometrics a popular exercise for athletes from basketball players to football players and heck, even golf players.

    1. Explosiveness

      Plyometric exercises are mostly aimed at improving explosiveness, which is the definition of exerting a force quickly. This is extremely important for athletes whose sports incorporate fast movements. An example can be a sprinter.

    2. Agility and Speed

      Some exercises in plyometrics also focus on the aspect of speed. With some exercises, such as skater jumps, improve your stride length and frequency, which can help with your overall running speed.

    3. Cardio Endurance

      As stated before, plyometric exercises are performed in a high intensity environment. Therefore, it also provides a cardiovascular workout which, over time, can help improve cardiovascular endurance. This is extremely helpful for long distance runners or cyclers.Free Running Woman photo and picture

What Are Some Exercises To Get Started on Plyos?

Typically, Plyometric exercise routines increase in intensity over time to ensure you are reaching your full athletic potential. For example, for the first two weeks, you can do the exercise for three sets and 8 reps. Then, in the third week, you change the amount of reps to 10, etc.

 

Some Exercises That I find Extremely Helpful:

Free People Girl photo and picture

Jump Squats: Position yourself in a squat stance, bend your knees to a 90 degree angle, and explode and jump up, trying to reach as high as you can. Come back down to your squat position and repeat.

Box Jumps: Find a platform safe for you to jump on and off of. A weighted box is preferable; chairs and stairs also work just fine. Stand in a squat position in front of your platform and explosively jump up onto the platform. Make sure to land with both feet at the same time. Step off of the platform and repeat.

Four Corner Jumps: Stand in the center of an imaginary box and imagine yourself standing in the middle of the box. Jump counter-clockwise or clockwise around the square landing on both feet at the same time. It is important to ensure that you immediately jump to the next box to ensure the explosiveness and speed of the exercise. A full rotation can be counted as one rep.

Tuck Jumps: Stand in a squat position with your knees bent at a 45 degree angle. Then, jump up explosively and pull your knees towards your chest as high as possible. Try your best to land softly on your feet and immediately go onto the next jump. (Note: I like to do this exercise in less reps as it can get pretty tiring, 6-8 should be fine.)

Free Soccer Running photo and picture

Conclusion:

Plyometric training is almost sort of a cheat code for any person or athlete who is looking to take their speed and explosiveness to the next level. Whether you’re just a beginner or an experienced athlete, anyone can take it up as long as you workout with the proper procedures. Remember to always work your way up to higher reps on the exercises and warm up properly before the exercises to reduce injury.

 

Links:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plyometrics#:~:text=Plyometrics%2C%20also%20known%20as%20jump,power%20(speed%2Dstrength).

https://www.physio-pedia.com/Plyometrics

https://www.nike.com/ca/a/what-is-plyometrics-benefits

How to Study Smarter, Not Harder: Finals Edition

Daniella
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0
How to Study Smarter, Not Harder: Finals Edition

June is right around the corner, which means finals are coming up. If you’re anything like most students, you might be somewhere between mild panic, persistent procrastination, to full-on caffeine-fueled cramming. But here’s the thing: you don’t need to study 12 hours a day or pull all-nighters to ace your exams. So let’s talk about how to study smarter, not harder.

 

Make a Realistic Plan

Don’t wing it. Grab a calendar, planner, or even just a piece of paper (that you’ll keep) and map out the days until your finals. Write down the subjects you need to review and break down everything into chunks. A little bit each day goes a long way, and it’s way better than trying to relearn everything the night before.

The key is consistency. Even 30 minutes a day adds up fast. Be honest about how much time you actually have (don’t procrastinate) and build in buffer days to help with chaotic days.

 

Active > Passive Studying

Simply rereading your notes isn’t enough. Instead, try:

  • Quizzing yourself or using online resources
  • Teaching the concept to someone else
  • Doing lots of practice questions

Active studying forces your brain to engage with the material you need to learn. You’ll notice where you’re strong and where you need more review. The more your brain has to work with the information, the better chances you’ll remember it.

 

The Pomodoro Technique

Study for 25 minutes, take a 5-minute break, and repeat. Keep your brain fresh and focused. The breaks are a perfect opportunity to stretch, grab a quick snack, or scroll for a few moments guilt-free. This might sound simple, but this technique can boost your productivity, especially when your attention span dips.

 

Stop Multitasking

Studying with a Netflix show running in the background or switching between five subjects is a fast track to not learning anything. Focus on one thing at a time. You’ll finish faster and retain more.

 

Prioritize Sleep

This might sound like what your parents say, but sleep is non-negotiable. All-nighters might get you through the next test, but they’ll mess you up for the rest of the week. Think of sleep as the final step in studying. Your brain can process and store all the information you’ve been working so hard to learn. Sleep helps you consolidate everything you studied; plus, you’ll feel better during the exam. 

 

Breathe

Finals are important, but they’re not everything. You’re not a machine. You need breaks, sleep, snacks, and time to chill. Stress only makes it harder to think clearly, and pushing yourself too hard can backfire. Be kind to yourself, check in with how you’re feeling, and give yourself permission to pause. Your mental health matters just as much, if not more, as your grades. So go for a walk, listen to music, take a nap. Taking care of yourself is part of smart studying, too.

 

Studying smart is all about quality over quantity. With the right plan, a few solid techniques, and enough rest, you’ll walk into finals feeling confident and prepared. No all-nighters required. You got this, and summer is waiting for you just on the other side!

 

Sources:

Why Do Students Protest? An Examination of the Rhodes Must Fall Movement

Hannah Li
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Why Do Students Protest? An Examination of the Rhodes Must Fall Movement

What drives students to take to the streets, or in this case, their own campuses, to protest?

Around the world, student activism has been a powerful force for change, from resisting tuition fees to climate policy. In understanding the origin of these protests, the Rhodes Must Fall Movement is an essential movement that must be examined. 

In 2015, students at the University of Cape Town (UCT) in South Africa raised something deeper: the ongoing legacy of colonialism in their university.

This was the beginning of Rhodes Must Fall, a staff- and student-led campaign which began with a single statue but grew into a broader fight against institutional racism and for decolonizing higher education.

Where It All Began

At the center of the initial protests was a statue of British colonist Cecil Rhodes, who played a central role in extending the British Empire into southern Africa. For students such as Avery, the statue was not just a piece of history: it was a reminder, day in and day out, of colonialism’s violence and inequality, and of how much had not yet changed in university culture.

The demand was to simply remove the statue. But the message ran deeper. Students saw Rhodes as a representation of the pervasive racism that still permeated the academic environment, from curriculum texts to leadership profiles to student services. As the movement gained momentum, it started pushing for more profound changes, such as improving living conditions for black students, and rethinking the Eurocentric lens through which knowledge was learned and valued.

How They Protested

The tactics of the movement were revolutionary, and sometimes controversial. It started with a student throwing human feces at the Rhodes statue, a move as surprising as it was metaphorical. It created campus-wide controversy and brought about a spate of demonstrations.

One of the most symbolic protests was on March 12, 2015, when students took over the Bremner building, a large administrative building at UCT. They occupied it for a few days, turning it into a site of resistance where supporters brought food, and racism and reform discussions were top of mind.

Future demonstrations had bolder actions, such as burning paintings of white people, setting vehicles on fire, and even petrol-bombing offices. They earned national television and newspaper publicity and sparked intense debate across the nation about protest vs. violence.

What Did They Accomplish?

The most prominent and symbolic victory of the movement was the removal of the Rhodes statue at UCT. To students and most of its supporters, it was an act of symbolic acknowledgment and accomplishment. But its impact did not stop there.

The movement was mirrored in other institutions, such as the University of Oxford itself, where students also began calling for the removal of their own Rhodes statue. Although the college authorities of Oxford initially complied, in the end, the statue was not removed.

However, the conversation had been started. The movement helped shift the topic of institutional racism and decolonization onto national and global conversation, illustrating how student activism can challenge the status quo and create lasting impact, even if not all of the demands are met.

The Moral of the Story?

The Rhodes Must Fall Movement is a testament to the power of collective action, and the impact students can have when they demand change. Thus, as youth, it is important that we advocate for the issues important to us, no matter how deep-rooted they appear to be.

Sources

https://globalcapitalism.history.ox.ac.uk/files/case31-rhodesmustfallpdf

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/mar/16/the-real-meaning-of-rhodes-must-fall

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodes_Must_Fall#:~:text=Rhodes%20Must%20Fall%20was%20a,decolonise%22%20education%20across%20South%20Africa.

First Time Volunteering? Here’s What No One Tells You

Suha A
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1
First Time Volunteering? Here’s What No One Tells You

Volunteering is often known as a rewarding and fulfilling experience, but for those new to it, it can feel pretty intimidating. Signing up is the easy part, but actually showing up? That’s where most people feel the most anxious. My first time volunteering was nerve-wracking, but I ended up learning so much along the way. Soon enough, I realized that volunteering is an incredibly rewarding experience, and there’s so much you can learn from participating.

If you’re about to embark on your first volunteering experience, here are some things that I wish I knew before getting started!

Embrace The Nerves: Everyone Was New At Some Point

Photo by Roman Synkevych on Unsplash

It’s normal to feel nervous before starting something new, or putting yourself in a new environment/experience. Volunteering could be something one does to step out of their comfort zone, which makes it the perfect opportunity for growth. It’s vital that you take these nerves and use them as fuel to do your best.

Nervous energy can be powerful if you channel it right. Take the nervous energy and put it into the project you’re volunteering for. It shows you care about doing well and making a difference. Let your excitement push you forward rather than holding you back! Try taking deep breaths and remind yourself that everyone was new at some point.

Don’t Be Afraid of Messing Up

Perfect is overrated, especially when you’re just starting. Whether it’s messing up a task or not knowing what to say, awkward moments are where you grow the most. Volunteer roles aren’t about being flawless, they’re about learning through doing. You’ll look back on your mistakes and laugh, since they’re all just stepping stones toward getting better.

Try looking at mistakes in a different light, as opportunities to learn more. “That wasn’t my best work, but now I know what to expect for the next project!” Every mistake is a mini victory in disguise.

You’ll Learn a Lot About Yourself

Photo by The Tampa Bay Estuary Program on Unsplash

You may think volunteering is all about other people, but it’s a fantastic opportunity to get to know yourself better. Volunteering can reveal skills or passions you never knew you had. You may discover that you’re a natural organizer, or you realize you’ve got a knack for crafting!

Pay attention to the moments that make you feel energized, and keep them in your back pocket for the future. Jot down your thoughts after each shift, such as writing down what you enjoyed and what surprised you. It’ll help you get to know your strengths and weaknesses better, which you can use for new opportunities in the future. You can then sign-up for projects that’ll allow you to be the most productive and ones that you’ll actually enjoy.

You’ll Get More Than You Give

You might be thinking, “I’m here to give my time to others,” but the reality is, volunteering gives back in unexpected ways. Some things you can earn from volunteering experiences include new skills, meaningful relationships, and even potential career insights. Volunteering can make you feel like you’re getting more than you gave. You’ll learn about people, systems, and yourself in ways you never could have imagined. To summarize, ensure you keep an open mind and take everything in. You never know who you’ll meet, what you’ll learn, or how it might open a door in your life.

Embrace the “Messy” or Difficult Parts

Photo by Joel Muniz on Unsplash

The best parts of volunteering aren’t always perfect. It can be chaotic, stressful, or even a little uncomfortable. Although, those messy moments are what shape your resilience. It’s in these moments of struggle and awkward-ness where you’ll grow the most. If you can handle the unpredictable, you can handle anything! Learn to take the difficult parts in stride.

When things get chaotic, try finding the humor in it, if it is appropriate to do so. Laugh off the awkwardness and remind yourself that every challenge is just another way to build your confidence and resilience.

You Can Say “No” !!

Volunteering is about giving, but that doesn’t mean you have to give away all your energy and time. Setting boundaries is key to having a positive experience. It’s okay to say “no” when something doesn’t align with your capacity or values, and you should communicate this clearly. A volunteer role is a commitment, but so is your mental and emotional wellbeing.

This skill applies to many fields, not just volunteering. Practicing setting boundaries will benefit you in other aspects of your life, in ways you may not even be aware of! Know your limits, and don’t feel guilty about them. Taking care of yourself will make you a better volunteer in the long run.

TL;DR

Your first volunteer experience might be full of nerves, mistakes, and surprises, but it’s also full of growth and discovery. Embrace the journey and know that you’re learning more than you realize, both about the world around you and yourself. If you’re facing troubles and need help, don’t be afraid to reach out to your team leader or your peers.

The fact that you’re committing yourself to helping others is something to be proud of in itself. Your first volunteer role could just be the start of a meaningful and exciting chapter in your life!

Good luck, and happy volunteering!

Breaking Barriers: Advocating for Accessibility in High Fashion Through the Met Gala

Elizabeth Aluko
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Breaking Barriers: Advocating for Accessibility in High Fashion Through the Met Gala

Introduction

Fashion has long been a space for creativity, self-expression, and cultural storytelling, yet it remains largely inaccessible to those with disabilities and financial limitations. The Met Gala, often regarded as fashion’s biggest night, is a platform that showcases extravagant designs and avant-garde trends. However, despite its influence in shaping public perceptions of fashion, discussions on accessibility within the industry continue to lag behind. High fashion, as it exists today, often excludes individuals with disabilities by failing to provide adaptive designs and by maintaining structural barriers that prevent full participation. Similarly, the exclusivity of haute couture leaves many unable to engage with fashion beyond admiration. This blog explores the intersection of fashion accessibility, adaptive clothing, and the role of the Met Gala in driving change, highlighting the importance of advocacy for a more inclusive industry.

The Accessibility Issue in High Fashion

Fashion is meant to empower individuals, yet it presents significant obstacles for many. Adaptive clothing—designed for individuals with disabilities—remains underrepresented in major fashion events, including the Met Gala. While some designers have embraced inclusive designs, the industry at large has yet to integrate accessibility as a core component rather than a niche segment. Many individuals with disabilities struggle to find stylish clothing that accommodates mobility challenges, sensory sensitivities, and medical needs. Issues such as difficulty with fastenings, lack of wheelchair-friendly designs, and failure to prioritize comfort further reinforce barriers that prevent many from experiencing the full potential of fashion.

Beyond the physical aspects, there are structural barriers within high fashion that create exclusion. Many luxury brands do not adequately market to or consider individuals with disabilities, and very few models with visible disabilities walk the runways of major fashion weeks. The Met Gala itself, while positioned as a global celebration of creativity, rarely spotlights adaptive designs or includes advocates who champion accessibility in fashion. The event often adheres to elitist traditions, reinforcing the notion that high fashion is reserved for a select group rather than accessible to all.

Adaptive Fashion: A Movement Towards Inclusion

The growing conversation around adaptive fashion signals a shift in the industry. Designers such as Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive, IZ Adaptive, and Nike FlyEase have developed collections specifically tailored to individuals with disabilities, focusing on easy closures, sensory-friendly fabrics, and mobility-conscious designs. Despite these advancements, adaptive fashion still lacks the recognition and prestige associated with haute couture, preventing it from reaching mainstream audiences.

If the Met Gala were to embrace adaptive fashion, it could set a powerful precedent for industry-wide change. Featuring designers who specialize in accessibility and ensuring that individuals with disabilities are represented both on the red carpet and behind the scenes would send a message that high fashion belongs to everyone. This could also encourage leading brands to integrate accessibility into their standard collections rather than treating adaptive fashion as an afterthought.

Financial Exclusivity and the Price Barrier in Fashion

Another critical aspect of accessibility in fashion is financial exclusivity. The high cost of designer clothing makes fashion unattainable for the majority of consumers, reinforcing an elitist divide between those who can afford couture and those who cannot. The Met Gala, with its $50,000 per ticket entry fee and guest list curated by Anna Wintour, further exemplifies this exclusivity. While the event is meant to celebrate fashion and art, it inadvertently highlights the economic barriers that prevent everyday consumers from engaging with high fashion beyond admiration from afar.

Sustainable and ethical fashion movements offer potential solutions to this issue by advocating for affordable, high-quality alternatives to luxury fashion. Thrift culture, secondhand shopping, and the rise of rental fashion services help bridge the accessibility gap. However, true inclusivity requires the industry to redefine the meaning of luxury, ensuring that high fashion is not just limited to those with wealth and status.

The Role of the Met Gala in Shaping the Future

As one of the most influential fashion events of the year, the Met Gala has the power to drive conversations that shape the industry’s direction. By featuring adaptive fashion, promoting designers who prioritize inclusivity, and inviting advocates to the forefront, the event could catalyze change. Instead of remaining an elite spectacle, the Met Gala could expand its influence to champion diversity, accessibility, and affordability in high fashion.

One potential approach would be for the Met Gala to collaborate with adaptive fashion brands and designers for future themes. Spotlights on innovative accessible designs, disability representation, and sustainable practices would broaden fashion’s horizons. Additionally, including diverse models and accessibility modifications to event spaces would ensure that physical barriers do not limit participation.

Beyond representation, financial accessibility could be improved by encouraging brands to offer more affordable couture pieces, creating pathways for everyday consumers to experience high fashion. Advocacy efforts within the Met Gala could push for scholarship programs for emerging designers, allowing individuals from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds to contribute to the industry without financial restrictions.

Conclusion

The Met Gala has the influence, platform, and visibility to redefine fashion accessibility. By embracing adaptive fashion, inclusivity in design, and affordability, it can become more than just an exclusive event—it can drive meaningful change. Advocacy for accessibility in fashion is not just about ensuring representation; it is about breaking down barriers that prevent individuals from fully engaging with the industry. The next step for high fashion is to recognize that true beauty lies in diversity and inclusion, and it is time for the Met Gala to reflect that evolution. ¹ ² ³ ⁴ ⁵ ⁶ ⁷

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas for Teens

Mahnoor Altaf
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0
Mother’s Day Gift Ideas for Teens

May 11th has finally arrived, the long-awaited Mother’s Day! This is a global celebration dedicated to celebrating and appreciating mothers across the world.

What better way to celebrate Mother’s Day than getting your mother a gift? As teens, however, we may lack the resources to get our mothers expensive gifts similar to how adults might. However, in actuality, there are many different types of gifts that you can gift your mother on this special day using many of the resources at home!

Without further ado, let’s get into some easy and accessible yet heartwarming and thoughtful gifts to give to your mother on Mother’s Day!

A card:

A simple card stating your appreciation towards your mother can be extremely meaningful.

Get her food: 

This could involve buying her favorite snacks (e.g., chocolate or chips) or cooking her favorite meal.

Photo book:

Create a photo book with pictures of her and you together. You can go over this and recall past memories.

Spend time together:

Watch a movie together, play board games, cook together, or go on a walk. There’s a variety of ways you and your mother can spend enjoyable time together!

TL;DR

Looking to treat your mother on Mother’s Day as a teen with little resources compared to adults? It doesn’t take much to create memorable and thoughtful gifts! Personalized cards, food, photo books, and finding ways to spend time together can truly make your mother’s day and show you care.


 Happy Mother’s Day!

sources:

  • https://www.britannica.com/topic/Mothers-Day

 

Sun-Kissed or Sun-Crisped: What you need to know about Tanning and Sunburns this summer

Diya K
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0
Sun-Kissed or Sun-Crisped: What you need to know about Tanning and Sunburns this summer

As summer is approaching and the heat is rising, our skin begins to take in the warmth of the beautiful rays of light (literally). After spending days at the beach and playing sports out in the sun, our skin tends to become a little darker, which is also known as the process of “tanning”. But how does this phenomenon even work? And even though some people love tanning, can it be harmful for your skin? Go put on some sunscreen and let’s find out!!

Before we get into that, there is a very important differentiation we must make:

Sunburns vs. Sun tan

Sunburns are caused by excessive UV radiation damage leading to immediate skin damage and visible symptoms like redness, pain, and sometimes blisters. They are usually more visible on paler-skinned people as well, making them extra sensitive to prolonged exposure to high levels of sunlight. 

A sun tan on the other hand is a protective response where the skin produces more melanin to shield deeper skin layers from further UV damage. 

How does a sun tan happen?

The sun’s rays emit two different types of radiation, UVB radiation and UVA radiation. UVB radiation is what causes sunburns while UVA radiation is what causes tanning to happen. The UVA rays penetrate to deeper levels in your skin (like the epidermis for example) where they trigger cells called, “Melanocytes” which then produce melanin. “Melanin” is basically the pigment in our skin that makes us appear lighter or darker, as in having more melanin would make you darker and vice versa. Melanin is basically a bodyguard for your skin, as it protects your skin from burning. This all may seem great, but there are also significant downsides to tanning that you must keep in mind as well. 

Downsides of tanning?

Because the UVA rays penetrate much deeper into your skin than the UVB rays that cause sunburns, they are closer to all the more important parts of your body, such as how, for example, they almost reach your blood vessels. Exposure to large amounts of UVA rays have a tendency to damage one’s immune system, making them more susceptible to skin cancers. If these cancers are not treated immediately, they may spread to the rest of your body causing many more health issues. 

How does a sunburn happen?

When the sun’s rays emit high levels of UVB radiation, it may damage your skin cells, and the immune system reacts to this by increasing the blood flow levels in those damaged areas. This causes your skin to appear a lot more red and inflamed, therefore creating what we call a sunburn. 

To conclude, getting a tan and having fun in the sun is ok especially when it’s so beautiful outside, but you must make sure you’re using the proper protective equipment such as hats and sunscreen to protect your skin and all it does for you!

Have fun! 🙂

Sources: 

https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/tanning.html

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sunburn/symptoms-causes/syc-20355922#:~:text=UVB%20is%20the%20wavelength%20of,on%20cool%20or%20cloudy%20days.

 

The Wave-Particle Duality

Hanrong
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0
The Wave-Particle Duality

An important physics principle, formed in the twentieth century

Picture a drawing with sunlight in it. If you were to draw it, how would you represent the rays of sunshine? Perhaps, you could draw a series of discrete lines from a smiling sun in the blue, or maybe you should instead draw ripple-like waves? Of course, when drawing, human creativity and feelings dictate what is drawn. However, the physics perspective of analyzing light rays was based on centuries of new discoveries about this topic, including data from various experimentations. This article will take us into the historical development of various theories pertaining to this principle!

What is wave-particle duality?

Historically, light has been thought of as particles. Common properties of light, like reflection and refraction, are explainable using the concept that light is composed of particles. Newton himself believed strongly in the particle nature of light. However, by the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century, the English physicist Thomas Young proved, through his famous double slit experiment, that light is better explained as a wave.

Thomas Young’s experiment demonstrated two properties of light that cannot be explained by the particle nature, which are diffraction and interference. Take a look at the diagram below:

The Double Slit Experiment
Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay

As you can see, the light waves traveling through the two slits actually have an effect on each other, thus producing the pattern of bright-dark spots on the wall that the light is projected upon. Now, imagine if light were particles. Then, particles should not be able to cause areas of overlap like waves could. Now, onto the other property, which is diffraction; diffraction simply refers to the bending of light around a corner, or perhaps spreading out after passing by a little opening.

Young also noticed that light diffracted slightly through the two openings, thus further giving evidence that it is a wave! Take a look at this photo (the gray wave indicates the diffracted light):

Diffraction of light
Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay

The twentieth century

By the early twentieth century, however, physics and science were going through a period of rapid new discoveries; many previously-made theories had to be reconsidered. It was during this time period that physicists like Planck, Einstein, and Compton pushed for the particle nature of light once more. However, their theories were more specific than Newton’s centuries ago. Specifically, Einstein proposed that light contained discrete particles (or photons), each of which contained a discrete (specific, limited) amount of energy.

This assumption by Einstein actually formed the basis of quantum physics–that is, treating energy as discrete and existing as “bundles” of countable energy.

The wave-particle duality of electrons

However, the wave-particle duality is not only applicable to light, but also to what we think of as particles, like electrons. Electrons are considered to be particles within atoms that are negatively charged. In the early-twentieth century, another physicist, Louis de Broglie, proposed that electrons actually demonstrated wave-like properties as well, in the sense that they had wavelength and frequency. This is another interesting idea, stemming from the principle of wave-particle duality!

Being open-minded in interpreting physics

The principle of wave-particle duality is truly versatile! One can argue that certain particles have wave-like properties, but also that certain waves can also possess particle-like properties. This demonstrates the importance of interpreting many properties of our physical world with complexity and nuance. The wave-particle duality is truly a crucial physics principle.

How to Study the Endocrine System

Jeanne Y
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How to Study the Endocrine System

The endocrine system can be quite tough to study – it’s so many systems and feedback loops all at once! – and the exams on the endocrine system are mostly applicational, meaning you can’t get by through brute memorization. The endocrine system makes up the more difficult half of the largest unit in the Alberta Biology 30 Course, which is Endocrine and Nervous Systems. Subsequently, it’s imperative to do well. It might also teach you quite a bit about your own body!

Without further ado, here’s a step by step breakdown on how to study the endocrine system from someone who aced her unit test and multiple biology contest endocrine questions.

1. Draw it Out!

Even if you’re not a visual learner, being able to see feedback loops through arrows and diagrams helping link glands and hormones together can be very helpful. It helps connect a solid block of dense text into more readable material, which helps with comprehension and encourages you to link the systems together.

Visually, it can help with understanding and memorization. Especially if you use the “blurt” technique, where you redraw diagrams without the help of notes or texts, it’ll increase your chances of comprehension and create a superficial short-term memory of the cycles. Even if you don’t understand it, drawn cycles will definitely be easier to memorize than bullet points and blocks of paragraphs from your textbook.

Pros:

  • easier to understand
  • easier to memorize
  • links systems together
  • gives an idea of the bigger picture

Cons:

  • can be time consuming
  • not recommended for cramming because it is so time consuming

I find that both I and many of my peers comprehend and remember material much better when we link things to the bigger picture (i.e. this is how/why this happens in the body here). Drawing the cycles out certainly helps, but that’s not all.

2. Feynman Technique – Talk at Someone

I talk a lot about the Feynman technique in some of my other articles about study tips, and for good reason too. It’s probably one of the most effective ways to actively recall what you know and find weak areas that you should go back and study.

If you don’t know what the Feynman Technique is, it involves taking the material that you know and teaching it. It doesn’t necessarily have to be to someone else (especially if you don’t have family willing to listen to lectures and your friends are uninterested); it is equally effective when explaining to a pet, an imaginary friend, or your pencil sharpener.

This is critical when learning the endocrine system because it is so content and memorization heavy. You really need to make sure you understand and remember all the material.

When I don’t have anyone to talk at (because you’re really not talking to someone when you explain the endocrine system), I talk to the stuffed animal that I keep on my desk and attempt to explain it to him. Although he doesn’t have many questions, he’s a great listener. I also find that recording myself (in selfie mode, where I can see myself speak) is a fabulous technique that almost beats talking at other people. I get to improve my public speaking skills (you are your worst critic, especially watching yourself talk), and I get an auditory version of my notes that I can listen to on public transit.

Pros:

  • active recall is super effective
  • very fast – highly recommended if you’re cramming
  • can reap benefits even if you have nobody to talk at
  • improves speaking skills
  • deepens understanding
  • draws out weaknesses in very obvious ways

Cons:

  • can get distracted if talking to people
  • can feel lonely if not talking to people
  • ego bruises because you’ll find many, many points of weakness

3. Cause and Effect Chart

One of the most common questions on tests regarding the endocrine system is “What will happen to [insert some part of the system or the body] if we remove/inject extra/find a dysfunction in [insert gland, hormone, duct, etc].” The best way I’ve found that combats these kinds of problems is creating a cause and effect chart.

List all the hormones and glands you need to know on both the horizontal area and the left vertical areas of a chart. Now go through all of them, and talk yourself through what the effects would be if one of the hormones were removed, damaged, or excessively produced. This is basically prepping yourself for most of the application questions involved on unit tests and on contests.

Pretty easy, huh? If only it didn’t take so long.

Pros:

  • you have a 90% chance of seeing one of these questions on your test, so you’ll be super prepared
  • see the bigger picture, link or separate all the hormones from different feedback loops together
  • easy to do – charts can be hand-drawn, inserted into a Google Docs or Word file, or even just generated with AI.
  • forces you to understand what’s going on
  • very effective, especially when used for active recall

Cons:

  • unless you seriously know everything about the endocrine system, ego bruises will form as you realize you really don’t know anything about the endocrine system
  • feelings of discouragement and boredom

TL;DR

The endocrine system is a tough topic to study – it’s content heavy, it can be quite dull, and it requires application of knowledge, not just pure memorization (although that can also get you pretty far). As someone who did pretty well on this topic, here are my biggest tips on how to ace Endocrine System:

  1. Visualize it
  2. Talk at people
  3. Create a chart of all contingencies

I may have forgotten one really important tip: have fun! Even if you’re lying to yourself that something is fun, it will eventually get easier than forcing yourself to study material you tell yourself is boring.

Best of luck!

How to Take Care of Your Skin: A Template Skincare Routine for Morning and Night

Maya McIntyre
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0
How to Take Care of Your Skin: A Template Skincare Routine for Morning and Night

We all have different routines when it comes to maintaining our skin. Many beauty gurus push a 12-step routine to ensure their skin is fully beautified and protected. But at the end of the day, not everyone has the time and energy to devote, especially when we’re on a limited budget. We all know what serves our skin best, and the precautions we need to take to avoid breaking out. But if you’re just beginning and you’re not sure where to start, here is a quick guide for the proper order you should be doing you’re skincare in.

AM Routine

  1. Cleanser: Use a gentle face wash to remove oil, sweat, and buildup from the night. Make sure you’re cleaning your pillow cases!
    • Importance: Remove impurities such as sweat, oil, and skin care products applied from the night before that can clog your pores. It is also crucial that you wash off any buildup created by your pillow cases. (Always wash your pillow cases to prevent breakouts on your cheeks.)
  2. Toner (Optional): Balances the skin’s pH and preps it for treatment products. Choose an alcohol-free and fragrance-free formula as best you can.
    • Importance: Gives skin an added layer of hydration and cleanliness, and also prepares skin for subsequent products and ingredients to be absorbed, such as moisturisers, serums, oils, etc.
  3. Serum: Apply a vitamin C serum or one with antioxidants to brighten and protect from buildup.
    • Importance: Neutralises free radicals caused by sun exposure, pollution, or other environmental factors. Promotes collagen production and brightens your skin toan leaving you glowing!
  4. Moisturizer: Locks in hydration and strengthens your skin barrier. Choose based on your skin type.
    • Importance: The skin is constantly exposed to elements throughout the day that can easily dehydrate it. A good moisturizer that works for you (always pick what is best for your skin) will keep your skin plump, smooth, and resilient.
  5. Sunscreen (SPF 30+): Vital for protecting your skin from UV damage
    • Importance: Protects against UVA and UVB, which can cause skin cancer, dark spots, and breakdown. Daily sunscreen application prevents long-term damage and maintains skin health.

Evening Routine:

  1. Cleanser: Double cleanse if you wear makeup or sunscreen — oil cleanser first, then regular cleanser.
    • Importance: Dissolves makeup, sunscreen, and pollutants without peeling skin. During the day, the skin accumulates pollutants and makeup. Skipping this step can lead to clogged pores and breakouts. The second cleanse of the skin also ensures the skin is consistently clear, allowing for better absorption of products.
  2. Toner (Optional): Same as in the morning, if used.
    • Importance: Better absorption of products and gives a thorough clean. Also rids of remaining impurities.
  3. Treatment/Serum: Use ingredients targeted to your needs (e.g., niacinamide, retinol, salicylic acid, or hyaluronic acid). Everyone is different.
    • Importance: Target specific skin concerns such as acne, aging, hyperpigmentation, or dehydration. Retinol increases cell turnover while hyaluronic acid attracts moisture. Retinoids can make the skin sensitive to sunlight, making nighttime the optimal time for application
  4. Eye Cream (Optional): Helps with puffiness, dark circles, or fine lines
    • Importance: Addresses specific concerns like puffiness, dark circles, and Fine Lines. The under-eye area is more delicate and sensitive, making it prone to signs of aging and more sensitive to light, making nighttime treatment more practical and less susceptible to daytime exposures
  5. Moisturizer/Night Cream: Hydrate and repair skin overnight.
    • Importance: Locks and hydration support Skin Barrier repair and seals and active ingredients applied consistently and previously.  skin loses more moisture overnight a thicker more nourishing moisturizer prevents dehydration and fosters repair.

Canada Votes #3: 45th General Election Hour by Hour 

Areej C
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0
Canada Votes #3: 45th General Election Hour by Hour 

Watched CBC’s Canada Votes from 4:30 MST to midnight. Here’s how election night went, rapid fire edition!

4:30 PM

Coverage starts. Atlantic results come in. Liberals are underperforming. Not awful, but definitely not what they wanted. Conservatives start poking through. Tension level = simmering.

6:30- 7:30 PM

200+ seats are now up for grabs, with the majority of polls in Canada closing, and polls starting to count. CBC’s seat counter turns into a ping pong match. Liberals and Conservatives trade leads, with liberals owning a significant portion of leads. 

8:10 PM

CBC calls it: Liberal government. But here’s the catch, no one knows if it’s a majority. The number 172 becomes an obsession.

8:45 PM

Poilievre loses his seat. Conservative leader out. Most shocking part of the night for sure. (Fun fact: 91 people ran in his riding of Carleton, making it the longest ballot ever, plus his riding had the highest advanced voting rates in the entire country!) 

9:30 PM

Liberals inching toward 172. Still too close. B.C. ridings are keeping them from a majority.

10:40 PM

Jagmeet Singh loses his riding of Burnaby South and resigns. Just like that. Saddest part of the night, cried a bit, worst part of the night too. 

Around 11:30 PM

Mark Carney walks out for his victory speech saying “humility” like six times.overall pretty good, acknowledged the humanity in his leadership, and the ability for leaders to make mistakes. 

11:45 PM

Elizabeth May holds it down (shocking). Wins her seat. Jonathan Pedneault (co-leader) doesn’t. Greens stay at one. 

12:00 AM

Still no answer on majority. CBC ends the night at 169 seats. Final count: unclear. We all go to bed wondering.

Tuesday: 

Liberals confirm a minority government, with Mark Carney recovering his mandate from the Canadian people. 

Wednesday 

Jonathan Pedneault resigns as Green Party’s co-leader, stating it was unfair for him to continue to be the leader after losing his own riding, hoping to invite new voices to the Green Party leadership. 

Thursday 

The debate over Pierre Polivere’s leadership is in the air, many say he should be removed for failing to win his own riding, but an overwhelming number of Conservative MP’s are rallying behind him, using his ability to raise the Conservative’s popular vote as rationale. 

Overall, the night was super chaotic for Canadian politics. One thing I have to say, this night was a collapse of a healthy democracy Canada once had. The transition into a two-party system is detrimental to representing the voice of the people, and becomes voting to keep another party out of power, not who you believe will support you and your fellow constituents within a riding. The lack of options, facilitates the rise of unhealthy government systems, and becomes a fight between parties, individuals soon begin to believe both aren’t good, and have to vote for in obligation. This new system, has allowed for the fall of the NDP, Bloc Quebecois, and Green Party, even registered voters to each of these parties voted for either the Liberals or Conservatives to keep one or the other out of power, choosing which would be ‘relatively better’. This is incredibly dangerous to your freedom of choosing government, and never ends well as seen south of the border, who have a seemingly increasingly similar political structure. This is your reminder to advocate for YOUR right to a healthy and functioning democracy, no matter who is in power, if your government doesn’t allow critique, you don’t live in a democracy anymore. 

Take Back Control of Your Scroll

youthareawesome
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0
Take Back Control of Your Scroll

Introducing the Mayor’s Youth Council Health and Well-Being Column! Each month, we’ll share fun, relevant, easy-to-follow mental health tips through the Youth Central newsletter, giving you the tools and support to prioritize your well-being with new topics and advice every month!

May’s tips highlight how your digital habits impact more than just screen time—they affect your focus, mood, sleep, and overall mental well-being. Learn how to recognize the influence of algorithms, build healthier online habits, and create space for balance, mindfulness, and meaningful connection in your everyday life.

Your Digital Footprint

Ever find yourself scrolling for just five more minutes—and suddenly an hour has passed? That’s not an accident. Social media and apps are intentionally designed to keep you hooked by constantly triggering dopamine, the brain’s “feel-good” chemical. The more you scroll, the more your brain craves that next hit of instant gratification, making it harder to focus on anything that requires patience—like reading a book, watching a full news segment, or even paying attention in class. 

According to research studies, in 2000, the average attention span of a person was 12 seconds. Today, the average attention span is just 8 seconds. The average attention span of a goldfish is 9 seconds… let that sink in.

Algorithms don’t care if the content is true, helpful, or even safe. They prioritize what gets the most engagement, making misinformation spread much faster than facts. Sentimental stories, conspiracy theories, and clickbait often go viral because they spark strong reactions—anger, shock, or excitement. That’s why you might find yourself going down a rabbit hole of misleading or outright false information without even realizing it. 

It’s important to think critically about what we consume. The internet is not always a reliable source—misinformation spreads quickly, and not everything we see online is true. 

  • Always ask yourself – who benefits from my reaction? – before acting on emotions that different pieces of media spark.
  • Always back up the information you receive on social media with reputable sources, and develop strong media literacy skills to differentiate fact from fiction. 
  • Following accounts that share meaningful, well-researched content can make a huge difference in the quality of information you absorb daily.

Alongside affecting our focus and information consumption, the time we spend online impacts our sleep, schoolwork, and relationships. Much of the time we spend doomscrolling adds little meaning to our lives. If you were asked to remember the reels you watched after an hour of mindless swiping, you would be drawing a complete blank. If you’re struggling to cut back, here are some tips!

  • Try setting a timer before going on social media. 
  • Moving away from short-form content can also help—start by watching slightly longer videos and gradually work up to long-form content, like documentaries or podcasts. 
  • Reading is another great way to train your brain back to a healthier state. If books feel overwhelming, start with a fast-paced genre, like thrillers, to make it easier to stay engaged.

Being intentional about your screen time, staying informed, and protecting yourself online can help you take control of your digital habits rather than letting them control you. Be mindful of how you consume, what you consume, and the time you spend online, and always be kind! The key is balance. 



How Canada’s Election System Works: A Guide for Voters

Hafsah A
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0
How Canada’s Election System Works: A Guide for Voters

 

Canada’s election system is often misunderstood, but it plays a key role in determining how the government operates. Many of us are just reaching voting age, and although the 2025 Federal election recently passed, understanding the system can help grasp how election results truly affect the political landscape.

 

https://pixabay.com/vectors/ballot-election-vote-1294935/
  1. The Basics: A Parliamentary Democracy

Canada is a parliamentary democracy, meaning citizens vote for Members of Parliament (MPs) who represent their local areas, called ridings. Each riding elects one MP, and the party with the most MPs typically forms the government. The leader of that party becomes the Prime Minister.

  1. First-Past-the-Post: How the Winner is Chosen

Canada uses a “first-past-the-post” voting system, which means the candidate who gets the most votes in a riding wins, and there’s no need to secure a majority. For example, if there are three candidates, and one gets 40% of the vote, that candidate wins the seat, even if 60% of voters preferred other options.

  1. Political Parties and Their Leaders

Canada’s political parties run campaigns to win ridings across the country. The party that wins the most seats is invited by the Governor General to form the government. In a minority government (where no party has more than half the seats), the leader of the winning party must work with other parties to pass laws.

  1. What Happens After An Election?

After the election, the new government begins transitioning into office. The winning party leader, like Mark Carney, is formally invited by the Governor General to become Prime Minister and select a Cabinet. This team will oversee key areas like finance, health, and foreign affairs. Next, the Governor General delivers the Speech from the Throne, which outlines the government’s priorities. From there, Parliament reconvenes, and the government starts introducing bills to turn campaign promises into law. During this time, they are held accountable by Parliament to ensure their policies reflect the needs of the people.

 

Understanding how Canada’s election system works isn’t just important on election day—it helps you see how your vote fits into the larger picture and why certain issues matter when it comes to shaping policy. The results aren’t just about one candidate or one party; they’re about the collective will of the people.

 

sources: 1 , 2

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Youth Are Awesome, commonly referred to as YAA, is a blog written by youth for youth. YAA provides the youth of Calgary a place to amplify their voices and perspectives on what is happening around them. Youth Are Awesome is a program of Youth Central.

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