Home Blog Page 3

The Ultimate Dopamine Menu

Suha Arvapalli
-
2
The Ultimate Dopamine Menu

With World Health Day coming up on April 7th, this month is a great opportunity for all of us to step back and assess how we’re doing, both mentally and physically. In a society where extreme productivity is encouraged, being “on the grind” is mandatory, and hustle culture is glorified, prioritizing mental health is becoming increasingly more difficult. It’s hard to stay on top of everything without burning out, and to achieve your goals without ruining your sleep schedule? Unheard of.

This kind of culture needs to stop being romanticized, especially with impressionable youth on the line. The benefits are outweighed by the detrimental impacts this lifestyle has on students and their developing brains, with cortisol levels hitting all-time highs.

For anyone feeling the mid-semester mental slump creeping up on them, you may benefit from some dopamine in your system.

What is Dopamine? 

One of our body’s most vital neurotransmitters and hormones, dopamine plays a major role in several life functions. Whether it’s memory, sleep, or movement, dopamine is mainly known for being the “happy” hormone, part of your body’s reward system. When released into your bloodstream, it is closely tied with emotions like joy and pleasure, and heavily impacts your motivation to do tasks.

During stressful times, it becomes evident that your dopamine levels are low if you’re feeling burnt out, fatigued, and unmotivated. In order to care for our mental well-being, it’s important to take breaks to participate in activities that bring us happiness, increasing our dopamine levels enough to get back on track with the less-exciting stuff. When your mind is armed with a hit of dopamine, your motivation to get things done and overall productivity rise, allowing you to tackle problems with less mental turmoil.

It’s important to remember that too much dopamine can be hazardous to our brains as well. Short-form content on apps like TikTok isn’t a great choice for breaks, as they make your brain more fatigued from the constant sensory overload. Too much dopamine can lead to sleep problems, impulsivity, and a lower attention span.

Fluctuating levels of dopamine are normal for youth, but always remember to reach out if you feel like something is off, as many health conditions are related to high or low dopamine levels.

If you’re feeling low, look at the Dopamine Menu below for activities to lift your spirits!

Dopamine Menu

Appetizers

For those of us who need a quick pick-me-up. Small activities that make us feel a little lighter, more energized, and ready to take on the day. 

  • Blast your favourite song
  • Make yourself a fun drink
  • Change into your favourite (or comfiest) outfit
  • Do the Wordle (and other NYT puzzles!)
  • Grab a snack
  • Talk to your pet (or your plant!)
  • Do 20 reps of one exercise (e.g. jumping jacks, push-ups, burpees, etc.)
  • Go outside
  • Stretch
  • Clean desk
  • Plan your day/afternoon/evening

Entrees

Longer and more immersive activities for enjoyment and relaxation

  • Put on a comfort show or read a comfort book
  • Light a candle and journal/colour/draw/read/knit (pick any relaxing activity!)
  • Go to the gym or do a workout at home
  • Try out a new recipe
  • Listen to a new podcast or audiobook
  • Call your friends/family
  • Pick a random topic you know a lot about and write about it
  • Go for a bike ride
  • Learn a new skill/take on a new hobby
  • Play a board game

Desserts

Take more planning, time, and money- special activities

  • Join a new fanbase for a day. You can pick a random sport, show, or band, and learn everything there is about it. Pretend you’re a hardcore fan!
  • Go shopping, or plan a different solo date activity
  • Book a massage or a spa day
  • Go to a concert
  • Visit a new cafe in your city
  • Plan a meetup with your friends
  • Travel to a new city/go on an excursion
  • Go to the movie theatre and pick a random movie you know nothing about

Conclusion

There’s no shame in admitting that you need a break. The constant need to be productive isn’t healthy either. Sometimes, doing activities that we enjoy just for the sake of having fun is more beneficial than spending that extra hour on work. It’s vital to plan out times in your day for relaxation and to take those breaks without the pressures of all your responsibilities looming over you.

Having a dopamine menu takes the decision fatigue away. Seeing a list of activities and the time you’ll take to complete each one allows your brain to choose without wasting time on planning. When you find yourself overwhelmed with work, pick one of the appetizers to recenter your mind and gain motivation to begin your tasks. If you have more time throughout your day, try one of the entrees, ensuring that you stay present in the moment for at least an hour, without external pressures plaguing your thoughts. For weekends off of work and school, the desserts are a great way to spend your day away from productivity!

If you have the time, make your own dopamine menu with activities specialized just for you and your lifestyle. It’s fun and a great excuse for taking a break. 😉

Sources: 1

What Your Wordle Strategy Says About You

Anne J
-
1
What Your Wordle Strategy Says About You

I first discovered Wordle in my seventh grade math class, where my teacher would do the daily 5 letter guessing game with us at the start of each class. I remember how fun it was, how we all used to yell our suggestions, brainstorm word ideas, and beg to do more after we inevitably succeeded or failed. I continued doing these Wordles well after my grade seven year – and still to this day – and find them such a fun little treat to do on the train to and from school, before bed, or even on the treadmill. As I was doing today’s Wordle, shamefully getting the word on the very last try, I began to think about what the best strategy would be to winning in the most effective manner. Then, I thought about why I was getting upset over not guessing the Wordle fast enough, and thinking about whether my “POISE” starter was not good enough. After that I thought, why can’t we all just guess the words we want? What makes “CRANE” so much better than “BEEFY”? I guess some words are just more equal than others huh…I see how it is. In this line of thinking, I came up with 3 different approaches to the daily Wordle, and what it says about you (yes this is definite and absolutely true). Enjoy!

The Strategist

This individual will start off with a carefully crafted starting word, including as many vowels as possible, as well as common letters such as R, S, T, and N.

  • i.e POISE (this one is good trust), CRANE, AUDIO, TRACE

After this, they will carefully strategize their next moves to maximize potential of winning in the least amount of tries possible, NEVER EVER putting a letter where they know it doesn’t belong, or (god forbid) re – use a letter they know is not in the word.

If you are this person, you are probably an intense planner, perfectionist, and analytical. You enjoy figuring out the most logical route to maximizing your wins, and take a similar approach to your pursuits – careful, strategic (as the name suggests), and interested in efficiency and excellence (maybe to an unhealthy degree, maybe).

Play it Safe

The “play it safe” individual is a little bit hesitant, terribly afraid of seeing the doomed fate of 5 gray letters flipping onto their screen after they press enter. These people have a method, and stick to it. Perhaps they stick to the same tried and true starter (guilty…), or hesitate guessing weird words.

If this is you, you value stability and steer clear from surprises in your life. You may not necessarily care about winning in the best way possible, you probably just care not to fail. You rarely lose, but win in the 4th – 6th try typically. You value your streak, and I respect it.

Chaotic, or just Whimsical

This individual essentially just puts whatever word they feel like. Hm, maybe start out with “BIRDY”…oh, there’s no B or D? Just throw in “BREAD” because I’m hungry…okay no E or A…why don’t we try “TREAT” ! 😀

This person is someone I enjoy greatly. So full of whimsy and life. Guess whatever you want to, it’s a 2 minute online word game. These people are carefree and free – spirited, and I admire them. Go whimsical player, keep guessing “QWERTY”, “PSALM”, and “CRYPT”. Keep going out on your beautiful whims – and you know what? These are the type of players who will have the most first – second try wins. Risk taking and being yourself is the best way to go for these people.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed reading this article – maybe you gained some new insights on your personality, or scoffed at my poor, armchair psychology efforts. Maybe you picked up a new strategy for these daily puzzles, or perhaps you will continue the whimsical approach of entering whatever word your heart desires.

Either way, thank you Wordle for being something small we all look forward to everyday!

From Podcasts to Perspective

Kheta
-
0
From Podcasts to Perspective

If you have ever listened to a podcast, think back to what you were thinking when you were listening to it. Did it feel interesting? Did you find something relatable between you and the speaker? Did it bring back memories of experiences in your life? 

Whether it be listening to a podcast on Spotify or liking a podcast reel on Instagram, podcasts have been loved worldwide.  Podcasts have an unprecedented effect on listeners, which is often overlooked. No matter who the interviewee is, ideas brought forth through podcasts provide relatability and spark questions in the listener’s mind. The topic might be as simple as whether you would put milk in the bowl first or cereal, but through listening to the answer, you unintentionally reflect on your thoughts. This form of reflection and conversation has many layers, so without further ado, let’s dive into it!

 

The Art of Storytelling:

Pixabay. By Tumisu. Published on May 14, 2019. Storytelling

Whether it be driving home from work, sitting on a train, doing a chore or simply going for a walk, podcasts follow a similar pattern to music in which users feel engaged in listening while working on tasks. The best part about storytelling through podcasts is the emotional human connection that makes each podcast unique. Podcasts drive listeners into a realm of imagination and they allow the mind to focus on a specific topic. Listening to a podcast makes you want to dive deeper into multiple perspectives. Similar to stories, podcasts have multiple genres, whether it be conversational, fictional or a real-life story. Within the genres, you can choose from current events and lifestyle. Habits, character-based stories, business mindsets, drama, pop culture, etc.. While everyone has preferences on what genres they prefer, a well-crafted podcast of any genre will grab your attention.

 

Relatability:

Pixabay. By Daniel Chrisman. Published on April 10, 2024.

Even if you haven’t heard a full podcast, you might have come across a glimpse of an interview through an Instagram edit. Whether it be a businessman saying something about productivity or a famous actor talking about their own life experiences, podcasts have the ability to inspire. 

Oftentimes, we disassociate the social media world from real life by comparing our lives to those of famous people. Through podcasts, however, a listener starts to realize the similarities between them and their idol. Most people think it is impossible to become a successful celebrity because their life trajectory doesn’t match that of Taylor Swift or Bill Gates. In that case, you need to listen to a podcast featuring a famous icon. By listening to a podcast where such people are interviewed, you can foster relatability. Listening to podcasts stimulates motivation, and it provides hope for people aspiring to achieve big dreams that otherwise seem impossible.

A study by the National Center for Biotechnology Information found that youth find comfort and trust through relatability, which boosts their well-being. Relatability is a gift that helps people feel supported and motivated. While you might not find every podcast relatable, there will definitely be ideas that you feel connected to, and they might come from the most unexpected individual. 

 

Learning Through Podcasts:

Pixabay. By Sik Life. Published on January 24, 2018

Learning is significantly more effective when the topic is presented interestingly. Unlike traditional school methods, podcasts can teach you concepts in a conversational manner, which makes learning feel less like a task and more like an experience. 

Podcasts are also a more effective method of active retention. You are allowing your brain to conduct cognitive thinking while you comprehend the ideas being discussed. With videos, you can understand concepts but through podcasts, you are forced to imagine the concepts. This way, you can trace your memory back to the same concept without having to memorize it. Most podcasts add details in storytelling or conversations through texture. On the other hand, your teachers and professors use a monotone voice, which makes the content disengaging. 

 

A New Perspective:

Pixabay. By White Crows Nest. Published on August 16, 2022.

A unique trait of a podcast is its ability to challenge the listener’s perspective. No matter how strong a supporter you are, podcasts influence your way of thought through presenting an alternate perspective. 

Unlike real-life conversations, where both parties present different perspectives, podcasts force you to listen instead of respond. In the era of scrolling through endless reels that demand instant reactions, podcasts promote slow thinking. 

This creates an opportunity to gain knowledge on viewpoints that you would otherwise strongly oppose. By the end of the podcast, you might not agree with the speaker, but you will become more open to accepting new ideas. This is an important soft skill to develop because it helps you form stronger arguments, make well-rounded decisions and become a better listener. 

 

Podcast Culture:

Unsplash. By Haerul Ambiya. Published on February 15, 2026. Listening on a Train

Interestingly enough, the podcast culture has gained popularity in the past decade with more podcast creation and listeners. Multiple sources claim that around 619 million people globally are listening to podcasts in 2026, which is a significant rise from 2024 when there were 546.7 million listeners. 

So why are so many people listening to podcasts? Oftentimes, especially among Gen Z, thinking about the world around us becomes overwhelming. Listening to podcasts helps debrief the situation while creating an authentic and relatable environment for everyone. Plus, with the hustle culture taking rise, people can easily listen to podcasts on the go. Unlike movies, you do not have to sit for multiple hours to entertain yourself when you can multitask by simply wearing headphones.

 

Conclusion:

Altogether, podcasts are a delightful way of entertainment that doesn’t require much effort. Listening to an episode of a podcast not only boosts your mental health but it also enhances your cognitive thinking. No matter what you enjoy, there is definitely a podcast out there that will spark a question or help you dive deeper into your thoughts. So the next time you are bored with your normal life, put on a pair of headphones- you might be fascinated by a new perspective!

1,2,3,4,5,6,7

The Joys of Spring

Soham C
-
1
The Joys of Spring

Spring is the season of fresh beginnings, growth, hope, and happiness. Spring is also noticed every time when we go outside to take a breath of fresh air. The colors of the trees, grass, bushes, shrubs are all appealing to our eyes.

Every season has its own qualities, however, spring brings the powerful message of revival. Whenever the leaves come back on trees or the flowers bloom again there is hope of life returning from the sluggishness of winter to the happiness of spring.

The season of spring also brings longer days, that allows more people to spend their time outside. People could play sports, go for walks, have picnics without the cold conditions of winter.

Furthermore, spring can have boosts in creativity and productivity. People can be inspired by nature and clean their surroundings and do new activities. People can also find their inner talent and be motivated to set goals.

Spring is one of the best seasons in the world and is also thought to be the best season out of all four. The Chinook winds also take place in spring reducing amounts of snow and making life better. The winds come from the Rocky mountains causing temperature spikes to 20 degrees Celsius.

Thankfully we know that there is a season that can give people such an amazing time. I also like spring more because the temperature starts to rise without any annoying bugs and dragonflies flying around. With no mosquito bites and bee stings all people should like spring.

The Hubble Telescope – Simplified

Areej C
-
0
The Hubble Telescope – Simplified

The Hubble Space Telescope, the first sophisticated telescope, allowed humans to view space from a perspective never seen before, taking never seen before images and transmitting them back to Earth. The clearest photographs of space have been provided through the aid of this telescope.

The idea of sending a telescope into space emerged in the 1940s but it took over forty years later to make that dream a reality. This first major telescope was launched into the orbit on April 24, 1990, by NASA. It was named after Edwin Hubble, who greatly contributed to our knowledge of universe and introduced the concept of expansion of universe. The Hubble’s first picture was taken on May 20, 1990.

It has enabled us to have more clear view of objects in the space and marked a new phase of observation of the universe. The Hubble was involved in many world-shattering findings, namely:

• Revealing the age of the universe
• Gaining more insights into how planets form
• Discovery of two new moons orbiting Pluto
• Unveiling the mystery surrounding stars as they burn out
• Increasing knowledge on comets and black holes
• Exploring the history of the universe
• Mapping dark matter in 3D
• Measuring sizes of planets
• Viewing asteroid collisions in space
• Detecting water vapor eruption on one of Jupiter’s moons

All of these discoveries show that the invention of the Hubble Telescope has been  so incredibly important to modern science. It has not only provided us with better views of the universe, but has changed the way we look at our universe and made it more familiar to us.

Sources: 1, 2, 3

Regular Chemistry to IB Chemistry Survival Guide

Diya Kunisetty
-
0
Regular Chemistry to IB Chemistry Survival Guide

 

Hi! My name is Diya and I am currently a full ib student finishing up by first year in the IB Diploma program. One of the courses I am taking is Chemistry HL, which stands for “higher level” and is a first-year university course. Personally, chemistry has never been my best subject and I’ve always found myself struggling so much in it. I am not entirely sure if I’m the best person to give advice, but I’ve definitely learned a lot about handling it as I’m currently taking it and somewhat surviving now. Here are 3 tips I wish someone told me before I started!

  1. Develop a strong foundation of core chemistry concepts

If you are starting chemistry IB right after taking chemistry 20, you need to be prepared. By “prepared”, I mean you need to fully understand all of your chemistry 20 material. Without a strong foundation in it, you will struggle in chemistry without it. I don’t want to scare you of course, but I do recommend that before you start IB chemistry you must take some time to review key concepts. You should also not forget about labs. You have to be able to deal with lab write-ups and doing multiple experiments accurately too. I’ve never been really great with labs (both doing and the write-up) and I thought it wasn’t that big of an issue until before I started IB chem. Basically I would say to just make sure to have a solid foundation in both theory and practical information. 

2. Develop your speed + accuracy

One of the biggest issues I had was starting out with exam timing. What I mean by this is that you get 1.5 minutes per question. This may seem like a lot but when IB style questions are thrown at you and it takes longer to understand the question than actually answering it, it is such an important skill to be able to process information quickly and accurately. You need to be able to understand what the question is asking and how to use the information you are provided with to answer the question. The only way (from what I know) to get better at this is to practice. Practice so much that you know what to do when you see any question type. The exam can only test one concept in so many different ways so use that to your advantage. When you are practicing one thing I would recommend doing is timing yourself to figure out which question types are costing you the most time. If you are doing 10 questions you can put a timer for 15 minutes, but one really good tip one of my friend’s told me is to reduce the timer 3-5 minutes less so it properly simulates exam conditions. Like during the test you will probably be pretty nervous and won’t be as comfortable as you are at home, so if you can answer the questions correctly under even harsher time constraints you should definitely be good to go. 

3. Find good practice material

Your textbook is your best friend. Personally, I have never really been a fan of using textbooks and I usually did pretty well just doing assignments given in class, but once you enter this (or any ib class really), you need to utilise your textbook as much as you can. It explains concepts in a different way than your teacher did and sometimes that can really help engrave the information in your brain. Like I said earlier, practice is key to doing well however you need to be using IB style questions. When you’re first starting out in chem ib, it can honestly be pretty tough to find IB questions for the very niche topic your teacher is teaching, therefore I think a great resource is AI. Whether you’re a fan of Chatgpt, Gemini, or whatever you use, one thing I like to do is upload my notes for whatever topic my quiz/test is on and ask it to make hard ib-style questions. This is helpful maybe like 75% of the time, but then again it is AI so it will never really be as accurate as the question types you will come across on the test. However I would still recommend it as it’s better than nothing as it also helps explain concepts really well. I know that at school sometimes when a student doesn’t understand a concept they might feel shy to ask the teacher more than once to explain it, and in this case AI can be your best friend. Other than the textbook and AI, you can also search on specific websites such as “Revision Dojo” as it also has practice questions too. Overall it doesn’t matter what you use as long as you specifically practice IB style questions under time constraints. 

 

As someone who is not the best at chem, I think that those were the three main tips that I would give to someone starting out in chemistry in IB and dealing with the massive transition!

 

Marie Curie and Her Incredible Achievements.

Nova Astrov
-
0
Marie Curie and Her Incredible Achievements.


In honor of Women’s day falling in March, I thought it very fitting to talk about Marie Curie for this week’s blog. We know Ms. Curie for her incredible accomplishments in science that propelled us forward as a race even though the price that she had to pay was her own life. It is due to her hard work and many sacrifices that we are able to use radiation in medical technology today. Alongside discovering radium and polonium, she is also the only person to win two Nobel prizes in different fields. She was the first female professor at the Sorbonne in Paris, part of the Physics Solvay council as well as the Academy of medicine in her time. All in all, she was a very accomplished woman.

Photo by Giacomo Ferroni on Unsplash

She also had beliefs deeply personal to her that I believe still apply to the world today. Ms. Curie faced plenty of discrimination during her time as a physicist and chemist. Not many women had the privilege of working in such male dominated fields. However, even beyond that, she contributed to the advancement of feminist ideas in sciences. It is at this point, dear reader, that you must remember feminism by its definition, means “equality within genders” and not “females are superior”. By promoting feminism, Marie Curie was able to advocate that women deserved the same opportunities as men in stem fields.

Even now, decades after Marie Curie’s time, her story forces us to confront the uncomfortable truth: progress does not happen passively. It is pushed forward and fought for by people who are willing to endure resistance to change, doubt, and in Ms. Curie’s case— personal loss. While it is easy to look back and remember her for her accomplishments and hard work, we must also remember her for all the things that she had to fight for quietly. It is disheartening, to think that even after all these decades, many women face the same mistreatment and judgment that she had to face. Her legacy challenges us to ask ourselves whether we are simply benefiting from the doors she helped open, or actively working to keep them open for others. In that sense, honoring her on International Women’s Day should go beyond admiration—it should inspire action, awareness, and a continued commitment to the very ideals she stood for.

sources: 1, 2, 3

History of the “Mean Girl” Clique in Cinema

Spencer
-
0
History of the “Mean Girl” Clique in Cinema

 

History of the “Mean Girl” Clique in Cinema

One of the most influential characters in modern cinema is the “Mean Girl,” with most teen movies featuring characters that adhere to this archetype. The conversation surrounding these characters reflects their complexity; should they be idealized or seen as a cautionary tale?

The most obvious reflection of this dynamic is in the classic 2004 film Mean Girls, written by Tina Fey and based on the book Queen Bees and Wannabes. This movie features the complex social hierarchies within high schools and has cemented itself as an iconic film. Its relevance continues today, and there have been multiple attempts to remake/remodel this film, with a musical and musical movie both reimagining this story. However, this trope of the high school female “queen bee” is not remotely original.

While the origins of this story have been debated, in cinema, the 1978 film Grease is considered to be one of the first iterations of this trend, feeding into the mass amounts of teenage-based films in the future. This film featured the sly and manipulative Pink Ladies, who played into social hierarchies and tormented other characters.

The 1988 film Heathers also served as one of, if not the most, influential films that was based on these themes. Heathers informed later movies such as Jawbreaker and Scream Queens, which all used a similar framework that started with Heathers.

Heathers features a dark element in which our protagonist, Veronica, tries to break down her high school hierarchy and ends up murdering multiple classmates with the help of her boyfriend, who is clearly sociopathic. The relationships between the four main female characters Heather Chandler, Heather McNamara, Heather Duke, and Veronica had never been done before on screen. Heathers centers around a commentary on high school as well as the complex relationships and power dynamics that contribute to the interactions of the main characters.

This film was incredibly controversial for the time and had mixed reactions upon release; however, it is now considered a “cult classic.” Heathers touched on taboo subjects like eating disorders, sexual assault, and suicide while using avant-garde storytelling topics to move the plot forward.

This film had incredibly quotable moments, including “how very” and “did you eat a brain tumor for lunch?”, and has been translated into other retellings, including a very successful musical.

This laid out the framework for its more successful and well-known successor, Mean Girls. This film is slightly more lighthearted and doesn’t engage with as many difficult topics; however, it is still very insightful in its overall messaging about relationships and popularity.

In Mean Girls, our protagonist, Cady, finds herself unsure of how to navigate the ever-evolving world of teen girls and the complex social dynamics within high school. She finds herself in the “Plastics” friend group, following every whim of our queen bee, Regina George.

However, with these teen flicks centering on female relationships, it is also important to identify some of the sexist traits associated with these characters. The “cat-fight” nature of female aggression that is portrayed in the media can be incredibly harmful and paint women in a certain way. The ditsy blonde characters, excessive slut-shaming, and sexualization of teens are all focal points of the genre.

Additionally, the notable “queen bees” are all penalized for their seemingly male characteristics. Heather Chandler is a leader, aggressive, and short-tempered, all stereotypically masculine traits. Regina George also carries these traits and is headstrong. So why are these characters so heavily judged, even though male characters engage in the same behaviors or exhibit the same characteristics? Their actions are obviously cruel, but why are they considered more wicked than their male counterparts?

This comes down to how women’s relationships are often dramatized or misinterpreted by male writers and directors. So, it’s important to understand how these stories contribute to broader gender stereotypes.

Overall, while the mean girl trope can be traced to the 1970s for its original inception in cinema, this idea goes far deeper and farther back. These movies include intricate themes and have become classics of their eras; it is also important to identify aspects that don’t align with our current values and play into sexist ideas.

The Mid-Semester Lock-In: Spring Opportunities for Teens

Suha Arvapalli
-
0
The Mid-Semester Lock-In: Spring Opportunities for Teens

Spring break has arrived for high school students in Calgary! As students return from well-deserved vacations, they may feel panic thinking about Monday closing in, when school resumes in full swing. Most of us are in shock at how quickly the first half of the semester went by, realizing that final exams will be upon us in less than 3 months. As you reflect back on how your school year has gone, the feeling of “not doing enough” or being “behind” all your peers may arise.

If you feel like stepping out of your comfort zone, adding something new to your resume, or setting yourself up for success as summer vacation approaches, keep reading for information on upcoming opportunities for Calgarian teens!

Career Day: Youth Central

  • Date: April 11, 2026
  • Time: 12:30-4:30 p.m.
  • Location: Platform Innovation Centre, East Annex
  • Registration Form

About The Opportunity

Hosted by our very own Mayor’s Youth Council here at Youth Central, Career Day aims to give Calgarian youth exposure to various professions through panels, Q&A’s, and several guest speakers. This year, youth are welcomed to network with individuals from fields like law, healthcare, business, and engineering. This event is free, and guests will be provided with complimentary snacks, as well as the opportunity to participate in a raffle!

Why Should You Participate? 

Deciding on your future career is a big decision that seems to arrive way too soon for high school students. This life-changing choice puts lots of pressure on teens. It’s quite unrealistic to expect a 17-year-old to decide what they want to do for the rest of their lives, and it certainly shouldn’t be an expectation. Instead, attending events like Career Day will allow youth to gain insight into the professional world without the stress of having to make a monumental decision with no previous background information. Youth can explore various fields and receive advice firsthand from experts in diverse industries. Planning for life after high school will be less daunting after gaining exposure into possible post-secondary pathways. When your senior year rolls around, you won’t have to make decisions completely unprepared!

CAREERS Internship Fair

  • Date: March 31, 2026
  • Time: 6:00-8:30 pm
  • Location: Notre Dame High School
  • Registration Form

About The Opportunity

CAREERS Next Gen is an organization that aims to foster connections between youth and employers, facilitating communication and streamlining the process of receiving an internship. This internship fair will feature booths with employers from a wide range of industries seeking potential employees. Students are advised to bring copies of their resume and come prepared with questions to ask employers.

Why Should You Participate? 

Students looking for a summer internship, a part-time job, or even just wanting to explore potential pathways after high school will find this fair to be incredibly eye-opening. CAREERS does the work of hunting down available employers for you. If you attend, you receive the chance to speak with professionals directly, and you may even snag an interview from a company or two! For youth feeling lost and apprehensive about traditional post-secondary pathways, this internship fair will alleviate those worries and present a plethora of hands-on learning experiences for students to explore. If online job-finders aren’t working for you, this internship fair might be the answer.

Calgary Public Library: Youth Volunteer Programs

  • Date: Applications ongoing throughout the year
  • Location: Various library branches throughout the city
  • Link to Apply

About the Opportunity

The CPL offers several programs for teenagers in Calgary to dedicate their time to as volunteers. Anyone above the age of 12 can apply and choose which programs they would like to help out with. For example, you may choose to volunteer with the math tutoring program, working with younger kids to develop their numeracy skills, or the Reading Buddies program. If coding is more your style, or even art, there are programs for those as well.

Why Should You Participate? 

If a part-time job, internship, or other long-term commitment just doesn’t work for your schedule, volunteering at the Calgary Public Library is a great way to build your resume while maintaining flexibility in your schedule. You earn volunteer hours in a relaxed environment and develop leadership skills without the pressures that come with a corporate position. Using your experiences from volunteering, you can enrich your university application while giving back to your community. This is an enjoyable, low-stress experience with a high reward!

City Of Calgary: Summer Student Jobs

  • Application Deadline: Check specific positions for precise deadlines, but most roles will not accept applications past April 30, 2026
  • Location: City-wide
  • Link to Opportunities

About the Opportunity

The City of Calgary hires hundreds of students every summer for roles in parks, recreation, water services, and even office administration. They have unique job opportunities in various locations throughout the city, all catered towards teens. Most of these positions start at above minimum wage, making it one of the best-paying summer options for students.

Why Should You Participate? 

Working for the City of Calgary gives you a behind-the-scenes look at how our city actually functions. Whether you’re interested in urban planning or just want to spend your summer outdoors in the parks, it’s a great professional endeavour that proves you can handle responsibility and work within a large, reputable organization. By applying today, you can set yourself up for success and be prepared for the summer. This experience will allow you to develop valuable skills that are vital for any future career.

TELUS Spark Volunteering

  • Check the website for specific application deadlines. Summer camps run from July to August.
  • Location: TELUS Spark Centre
  • Link to Apply

About the Opportunity

TELUS Spark is looking for enthusiastic high school students (ages 14+ for camps, 16+ for general roles) to join Team Purple. As a Summer Camp Volunteer, you can spend your weeks helping kids dive into hands-on STEM projects, from introductory coding and robotics to cooking and chemistry. You’ll lead games, manage workshops, or help campers navigate the facility. If you prefer a more variety-filled schedule, you can also apply for Interpretive Science roles, where you work in the galleries like The Health Zone or Creative Kids Museum, explaining the physics of the exhibits or assisting with massive events like Spark After Dark.

Why Should You Participate? 

Volunteering at TELUS Spark is a chance to go from being a student who simply learns science to a leader who can actually communicate it. For anyone interested in pursuing competitive fields like medicine, engineering, or research, the ability to translate complex theories into something engaging for the public is a massive professional advantage. Beyond the resume boost, TELUS Spark offers a unique environment where you can network with professional educators and scientists while earning perks, like specialized reference letters for university and free passes for your family.

TL;DR

Spring is the season of fresh starts, new beginnings, and new experiences. There’s no better time than now to get involved in your community. Here are a few exciting opportunities for you to explore!

  • Youth Central Career Day (April 11, 2026)
  • CAREERS Internship Fair (March 31, 2026)
  • Calgary Public Library – Youth Volunteering
  • City of Calgary – Summer Student Jobs
  • TELUS Spark Volunteering

By participating in unique opportunities, you can enrich both your mind and your resume. 😉

Where Animation Began

Kheta
-
0
Where Animation Began

Animated movies have shaped cinema for all ages. Throughout the years, we have all been introduced to some sort of cartoons, whether it be Cinderella, Cars movies, Despicable Me, The Lego Movie, Marvel, etc. Animated movies have been sparking imagination and creativity in young minds for decades. In this article, we will explore the fascinating journey of animation from the first ever animated film to the future techniques that will change animation once again.

Where it Began:

Early animations set the foundation for new discoveries in the industry. The Humorous Phases of Funny Faces, composed by J. Stuart Blackton in 1906, used standard picture film to create an animation. While the 3-minute film shows a mix of animation and physically drawn characters, it was a huge success at the time. Soon after, in 1908, Fantasmagorie became one of the first fully animated films made through double-exposed drawings. This simple 2-minute-long movie consisted of 700 individual drawings that were arranged in a stop-motion technique. The producer, Emile Cohl, was a French Caricaturist in Paris, and many recognize him as the founding father of animation!

A Digital Shift:

Pixabay. By tylijura. Published on August 14, 2025

Fast forward to 1937 when Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs came out. By this time, several discoveries around Technicolour, multiplane cameras and cel animation were made. Technicolour allowed for movies to be made in colour with the help of different shades of black and white (monochrome) that would be combined as negatives to make a full positive print with complementary colours. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was the first full-length movie to use cel animation throughout. In cel animation, characters would be drawn on celluloid transparent sheets that would be placed on top of various backgrounds to avoid drawing them out every single time. Winnie the Pooh was one of the last times cel animation was utilized, after which most animations shifted to computer animation.

Initially, 2D movies used the Computer-Animated Production System (CAPS) starting with The Rescuers Down Under from 1990. CAPS was a method where hand-drawn characters would be enhanced through the computer with colours, layers and smooth movement. Blockbusters like The Lion King also used CAPS with a combination of Computer Generated Imagery (CGI).

3D Animation

Unsplash. By Chauhan Moniz. Published on Published on November 1, 2019

The first full CGI movie was Pixar’s 1996 Toy Story, which brought texture and depth to the theatres. From the plastic details in Buzz’s suit to the stitched fabric on Woody’s skin, Toy Story was a groundbreaking achievement for the animation industry. Soon after, animation started catching the eye of all ages. Cars, The Incredibles, Finding Nemo, Despicable Me, and other computer-animated movies helped create a new genre of movies that shaped our childhood. Fast forward to the release of Avatar, which once again revolutionized the industry. Avatar (2009) used surreal 3D characters with real actors who were integrated through CG character animations. The movie had 800 digitally generated characters with intense detail on the setting. From the first Toy Story to Avatar, which captures the simplest details of human behaviour, animation has truly transformed.

What is Next?

Pixabay. By Jcoope. Published on September 20, 2023. This image is AI generated

As we step into a new technological era with artificial intelligence, anyone can create animations with the help of a simple prompt. But the real question is, how are animated movies advancing? While AI can be a helpful tool, creativity is a special tool that filmmakers continue to use in storytelling. As of now, AI has increased productivity through simplifying the boring repetitive tasks so that creators can focus on uniqueness. Machine learning algorithms can understand elements of the real world to make lifelike animations.

 

Sources:1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11

Why We Can’t Get Enough of Enemies to Lovers

Elizabeth A
-
0
Why We Can’t Get Enough of Enemies to Lovers

There’s something almost addictive about watching two people go from barely tolerating each other to being completely, undeniably in love. The enemies-to-lovers trope isn’t just popular, it’s everywhere, and for good reason. When it’s done right, it hits a mix of tension, emotion, and payoff that’s hard to beat.

At its core, the trope is exactly what it sounds like: two characters start off in opposition. That could mean actual enemies on opposite sides of a conflict, rivals competing for the same goal, or just two people who clash so badly it feels impossible they could ever get along. But that friction is the whole point.

Step One: The Tension

The early stage is all about conflict. These characters misunderstand each other, challenge each other, or just genuinely don’t like each other. Think of the constant back-and-forth between Kaz and Inej in Six of Crows or the sharp, competitive dynamic in Pride and Prejudice.

This part works because it’s not random. The conflict usually reveals something deeper about both characters, their values, their fears, or their past. It’s not just “they hate each other,” it’s “they see the world differently.”

Step Two: Forced Proximity

At some point, the story pushes them together. Maybe they have to work on the same team, survive the same situation, or chase the same goal. Whatever it is, they don’t have the option of avoiding each other anymore.

This is where things start to shift. They begin to see sides of each other they didn’t expect. The person they thought was arrogant might actually be guarded. The one they saw as cold might just be careful.

Step Three: The Cracks Appear

This is the turning point. The insults soften. The arguments start to feel less like hatred and more like tension. There’s usually a moment, small but important, where one character realizes they care. Not fully, not openly, but enough that things feel different.

This stage is what makes the trope work. The transition doesn’t happen all at once. It’s gradual, messy, and a little confusing, just like real emotions.

Step Four: Vulnerability

Eventually, one or both characters open up. Maybe it’s about their past, their fears, or something they’ve been hiding. This is where trust starts to build.

And trust is everything here. Without it, the shift from enemies to lovers feels rushed or unrealistic. With it, the relationship feels earned.

Step Five: The Breaking Point

Almost every enemies to lovers story has a setback. A betrayal, a misunderstanding, or a moment where old assumptions come rushing back. It’s frustrating, but it’s necessary.

This conflict tests whether their connection is real or just temporary. It forces them to confront their feelings instead of avoiding them.

Step Six: The Payoff

When they finally get together, it feels deserved. That’s the difference between this trope and something more straightforward. You’ve watched them fight, grow, and change. The relationship isn’t just romantic, it’s built on understanding.

And that’s why people love it.

Why It Works So Well

Enemies to lovers taps into a few things at once. It gives you tension, which keeps the story interesting. It gives you character growth, which makes the relationship meaningful. And it gives you a strong emotional payoff, because you’ve seen how far they’ve come.

It also plays with a simple but powerful idea: first impressions aren’t always right. People are more complicated than they seem, and sometimes the person who challenges you the most is the one who understands you best.

When It Doesn’t Work

Not every enemies to lovers story lands. Sometimes the characters are just mean to each other without any depth. Sometimes the shift to romance happens too quickly, without enough development.

The key difference is whether the relationship evolves. If the characters don’t grow or learn anything, it doesn’t feel like a transformation, it just feels forced.

Why We Keep Coming Back to It

At the end of the day, enemies to lovers isn’t just about romance. It’s about change. It’s about seeing someone differently than you did before. And maybe, in a small way, it’s about the idea that people can surprise you.

That’s what makes it stick.

The Science Behind Spring

Jianna H
-
0
The Science Behind Spring

Spring is by far my favourite season; the smell of fresh rain in the morning, the beautiful flowers blossoming, and the sound of songbirds serenading you. I always know my favourite season is upon us from these cues, but how do the plants know when to start blooming? Despite their simple appearances, plants are complex organisms with receptors and chemicals all working together to assist in the blossoming of spring.

Photoperiodism

One of the ways a plant can “tell the time” is by using a mechanical response called photoperiodism. Receptors in plants can determine whether to start blossoming based on the duration of light they can detect. Some species start flowering when the hours of daylight increase, others when the hours of daylight decrease.

Plant Growth Regulators

PRGs are chemicals released by plants to stimulate different types of growth, whether it be suppressing or increasing growth, based on the surrounding environment.

Auxins

Auxins increase growth in the shoots of plants. However, at high concentrations, auxin can also inhibit bud growth.

Gibberellins

Gibberellins are primarily used for cell elongation, and are used to increase plant height, germinate seeds and make fruits larger.

Cytokinins

This hormone promotes cell division (cytokinesis)  in roots and shoots of plants, aiding in growth.

Why This Matters?

These were just a brief overview of some of the complex systems involved in the growth of plants, but why are they needed in the first place?

Many plants require very specific conditions for growing; these regulations can ensure they grow at the right times to ensure maximum productivity and efficiency. For example, some seeds require a period of dormancy and exposure to coldness so they can properly grow; this is called vernalization. Additionally, determining the proper time to grow is essential, as there are many other factors that contribute to plant growth. For example, pollinators are vital to plant reproduction, so plants must accurately time their growth for when pollinators are available.

Spring into the Ending

Knowing the systems involved in the blossoming of plants, as well as the intricacy of our environments, provides a deeper appreciation of the beauty and complexity of it all. The next time you’re admiring a beautiful flower, be thankful for all the steps that had to be completed correctly for this beautiful masterpiece in front of you!

Resources

1,2, 3

Regency Era Fashions

Spencer
-
0
Regency Era Fashions

Regency Era Fashions

The Regency era refers to a period between 1811 and 1820 in which Prince George IV ruled as Prince Regent during King George III’s mental illness and absence from royal life. However, the fashion of this period can be extended from about 1795 to 1837, later influencing Victorian styles. 

This period is defined by its extravagance and how divided the classes were during the Napoleonic Wars and the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. This period also saw the rise of great literary figures like Jane Austen, who remains extremely relevant today. The “Regency” period was marked by elaborate balls and social etiquette, with the era being coined as the most romantic period in history. 

This correlated with an emphasis on and progression of women’s fashions. With trends consistently being modified, and gowns being incredibly well-made. This era was a time of immense growth and general comfort for the aristocracy, which translated to more elaborate and well-made styles coming into fashion. 

Towards the beginning of the 19th century, women had begun to abandon heavier styles that had defined previous eras, electing for flowy and lighter fabrics. The skirts that used panniers for their large structure were gone, and so were the rigid corsets made of whalebone. Gowns of the 19th century used lightweight fabrics that exaggerated the natural female figure. This was done in part due to the new skirt of the time, the column skirt. This development contrasted with earlier styles, in which skirts were voluminous and accompanied by elaborate petticoats. The column skirt maintained a straight silhouette from the hips to the ankles. 

The straight silhouette was also achieved through the empire waist cut. This cut resulted in the skirt beginning right beneath the underbust. 

To achieve the desired “shelf bust,” the chest was pushed upwards with the help of early brassiere prototypes like the divorce corset. The empire waist and vertical emphasis of these new gowns created longer lines designed to make the individual appear taller. 

Additionally, the construction and detail of these garments featured delicate fabrics and subtle embellishments like embroidery. This is reminiscent of classical Greek and Roman details like drapery and gold embroidery, which the Regency era took much influence from.  Originally, these details referenced their classical influences, which signalled intelligence and refinement. This represented a broader cultural shift towards more “natural” based beauty over the enhanced and extremely structured beauty of the 16th and 17th centuries. 

 

Unboxing the TEMU Package: a narrative uncovering the reality of forced labour

Xinlei L
-
2
Unboxing the TEMU Package: a narrative uncovering the reality of forced labour

Letter from Masanjia

One of her daughter’s fifth birthday wishes was for the party to be Halloween themed. Julie Keith scavenged the attic, her memory giving way to a spooky tombstone kit she bought years back. After a bit, her eyes laid on a dusty cardboard box with Kmart’s logo written on it. 

As Julie unpackaged the tombstone, a crumpled sheet of lined paper rolled out with it. Neat blue handwriting was on it, though with grammar and spelling issues. 

“Sir, if you occassionally buy this product, please kindly send this letter to the World Human Right Organization. Thousands people here who are under the persicution of the Chinese Communist Party Government will thank and remember you forever.” 

Julie read on. The note said that the graveyard kit had been produced in unit eight, department two of Masanjia labour camp in Shenyang, China. Inmates were subject to work 15 hours a day seven days a week; “Otherwise, they will suffer torturement, beat and rude remark. Nearly no payment (10 yuan/1 month).” 10 yuan in Canadian dollars nowadays are $2.00.

Prisoners were detained on average for one to three years without a formal court sentence. Some identified as Falun Gong practitioners. “They often suffer more punishment than others,” 

Julie was shocked, what could she even do? Desperately, she started trying to contact peers on Facebook for advice and started making many phone calls and messages to human rights organizations, which were all unanswered. 

Months passed by, nothing. Julie’s husband told her maybe she should give this thing up, maybe it was some sort of prank. But just before December 2012, Julie’s phone started ringing. TV networks and newspapers were eager to hear her perspective. The letter was in the headlines.

Imprisoned and Enslaved

Like many others, Sun Yi enjoyed practicing Falun Gong; a spiritual movement that combines elements from Taoist and Buddhist beliefs. This practice became popular among Chinese citizens, and the Chinese Communist Party decided that it was becoming too popular. The more people there are, the likelihood of government pushback increases. 

As a result, the CCP deemed Falun Gong as an “evil cult,” implementing mass detention centers framed as prisons or refinement camps as well as wide-spreading media censorship and propaganda. 

Once Sun Yi was discovered to be a practitioner of Falun Gong, the authorities started to keep an eye on him. One day, police barged into his small apartment and forcefully took him, binding him blind and unable to move until he arrived at the “laogai” (reform through labor) camp in Masanjia. 

There, workers were obliged to work 15 to even 20 hours a day if demands called for it. Everything was filthy and cold, as if the whole place was abandoned. Torture would be the result of disobedient labourers. There were only 15 minute breaks to use the washroom and to eat food. Many committed suicide before discharge from these camps. 

For months, Sun Yi’s biggest hope was to see his wife’s face again, so he held on. At one point during the sentence, Sun Yi started to write SOS letters and sneak them into packages that he knew were going to be delivered to English-speaking countries. He had to do it with caution, the punishment would certainly be death. Four years and twenty letters, and eventually, it worked. 

Sources

*This information was mainly pulled from Amelia Pang’s Made in China

1, 2, 3

What You Are In Charge of, And How Does This Mean Change?

Sina M
-
0
What You Are In Charge of, And How Does This Mean Change?

Introduction

There is no easy way to put it out there; you have to change something about your life to achieve happiness, or at least, a stable state of mind. But first, we have to understand what it means to change.

According to Google, one may define change as: 

to replace (something) with something else, especially something of the same kind that is newer or better; substitute one thing for (another). 

But obviously, there has to be something seriously good about the other option that makes us want to choose change. Humans are obviously not naturally open to change, although we experience it in the circumstances and people we meet. 

Even the slightest habits you have can impact your thoughts, but I am not here to talk about the psychology behind who you are, what you do, and why. I want to offer a solution, or even the slightest revelation about the mind you woke up today and will sleep with tomorrow. 

——————————————————————————————————

 
First, start with understanding what got you here. Did it come in all of a sudden, or have you been consistently desiring something? Write your answers down on paper. Sometimes, all someone needs is clarification on what they have been looking into.

The next thing is not finding out why necessarily, but painting a picture of how your life looks now without it and after with it. Describe what that thing does for you. By describing, I mean, really seeing what it does for you, what noticeably changes for you. Make sure that it is all in first-person before you see it through someone else‘s eyes.

Lastly, is this something that you can do tomorrow, or would it take more time? Most of the time, it is usually the latter rather than the former. But why exactly? Does it have to do with the task itself? Does it require more than from the energy than you have at the moment? Do you think about what interferes with you having it? Everything is in possession, and whatever you think this thing can do for you, you want it to be in your possession. Or is that truly the case? Your thoughts are not in your possession, it is not something you own. Just something you were born with… something you are not entitled to believe in, blah, blah, blah.

The time we take to ponder can either be a waste of your time as you are catching up with the rest of the day, or lead you onto the kind of journey you think best fits your ideals, emotions, life experiences, etc. But most of those things are shaped by your environment, so there may be no point in discussing possession: peace of mind, academic success, a plane ticket, a new wardrobe. These desires are constantly warped by what you think you are in charge of and therefore can change. An illusion most of us have been living under, as we are rotten to the core by systems that only challenge plain hormones and natural responses. Just as smart and capable as we can be, we have the characteristics of animals. But we always think it is something more than that. 

 

See, for myself, I always used to wonder how people could manifest or say they want something and could easily get it. It is not because of what they have or because I  constantly experience self-doubt and cannot manifest; it could have been something that day that led me to that thought. Perhaps I got a mediocre grade, and that was it. It was done. And so, I could gamble on how well I do on another test, and everything can go back to normal. Normal, meaning my grades could be as high as ever, but this is exactly what messes with the way we process our emotions and how we decide the next goal or objective. We are strategists who never take the time to watch things unfold before wanting the next best remedy. This leads us to times when we can feel hopeless or that we have gotten ourselves into doing something irreversible. There was no sign of me choosing the reversed option back then to understand why I even got that grade.

 

Thoughts are not bad. They are important, even if it reveals unhappy or apparently undesirable situations. But they also help us forget how to take charge of a situation. Like now, I could have just gone to talk about capitalism stealing everything from the human spirit. But it would also never dig deeper into the paradox of free will and a dream life. I would be stuck in the same web of consciousness versus the life I want. 

 

Both things can interfere with each other, but not every time at 2 am when I want to change my life. Balance is integral to achieving a life you are happy with. Even doing good things and building character is essential for the same reason, so that you remember you are capable of making an impact, and therefore, progress. All that we see in the world could include all the things that we have but cannot see in ourselves. How we may look at the scientist who made an interesting invention can point to how we can truly challenge ourselves and the world in innovatively approaching a problem. I like to watch movies and consume art as a whole because of it, to look through a window or into a mirror to understand what could be blocking me or something I really need to accept. 

 

You do get lost, but that is a part of it. Your clarity only fits with what you deem is fair and reasonable. You should not be blinded by what you cannot see, but live through it. Holding onto what we think belongs to us will only ever reduce the chances of being happy; that takes pursuit and uncertainty. I do not prefer to quote things, but a similar definition made by the author Bill Burnett from his book Designing Your Life, “Dysfunctional Belief: Happiness is having it all. Reframe: Happiness is letting go of what you don’t need.”

 

Reframing your thoughts is a method that works, but methods are only methods. Seek to accept what you may not understand or have not completely acknowledged. Seek does not mean do right away. It means taking your time and going at your own pace.

 

I cannot judge you on your journey; the process is as unique as my own and should not be comparable. But we are all travelling through the same tunnel, desiring light at the end, as if that is the only symbol of hope. And from what I have learned, I hope we may all defy ourselves to achieve peace and happiness. 

 

1234...517Page 3 of 517