Data Visualizations

Does an individual’s happiness hinge upon their income, or are there other factors at play? Grades 5 – 9 This week, we examine the factors that influence happiness levels across different countries. To answer our question we: Used data from the World Happiness Report. Visualizing the data First, we arranged the countries by continent, ranking […]

Where were residential schools located in Canada and when did they operate? Grades 5 – 9 The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) was created in 2008 to bring to light the experiences of Indigenous students in residential schools throughout Canada’s history. In December 2015, the TRC released its final report, providing a detailed […]

What have been the most expensive natural disasters in Canada’s history? Grades 5 – 9 The costs of natural disasters can go beyond the immediate damage they cause. They can have both long-lasting economic and social impacts on affected communities. Understanding the costs associated with such events can help us better prepare for and respond […]

How can you make a GIF using code? Grades 5 – 8 A GIF is essentially a collection of individual, successive images or snapshots, which are then “played” in sequence as frames in a movie. For graphing purposes, they can be used to show changes over time or to highlight specific aspects of a data […]

January 2023 seemed quite warm, but was it the warmest ever January? Grades 5 – 12 This week, we hope to inspire you with a data visualization about the weather. In recent years, countries around the world have reported record-breaking temperatures during certain time periods. For many Canadians, this past January felt unusually warm. Our […]

From Paladins to Warlocks: which Dungeons & Dragons class will rule them all? Grades 9 – 12 Dungeons & Dragons (DnD) has been enchanting players with its immersive roleplaying experience since 1974. The game has influenced everything from comics to the latest Dungeons & Dragons movie, which was released in April 2023. With more people […]

How clean is Canada’s water? What the data shows Grades 9 – 12 Water quality can have a tremendous impact on every life form – from microorganisms, to wildlife, livestock, and humans – as well as on terrestrial ecosystems, climate, and nature. Statistics Canada collects water quality data from different aquatic ecosystems across the country. […]

Can you calculate Pi by throwing darts? Grades 5 – 12 What if we told you the key to unlocking the secrets of the number Pi(π) lies in the simple act of throwing darts? Pi is a mathematical constant that represents the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. It is an […]

A snapshot of African immigration to Canada in the 18th Century Grades 5 – 12 Context During the American Revolution, many people of African descent fled to the British side, and were relocated as free people of colour to communities in Canada, such as Nova Scotia. The British navy kept track of the names of […]

How did emissions of major air pollutants change over the last 30 years? Grades 9 – 12 According to Health Canada, every year air pollution contributes to the death of more than 15,000 people in Canada alone. In 2022, the Government of Canada launched an ambitious 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan, which aims to reduce pollutant […]

What are the average blood pressure and heart rate in humans? Grades 9 – 12 According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death worldwide. In 2019, CVDs were responsible for 32% of all global deaths, with the majority of those (85%) being from a heart attack or […]

How has consumer product pricing changed in 2022? Grades 6 – 12 According to recent headlines (e.g. this CBC article), grocery prices in Canada are soaring. Is there any correlation between this surge in food prices and the Covid-19 pandemic? In this exercise, we investigated the monthly average retail price of common grocery store products […]