Project Real World, a self-contained, activity-based Canadian consumer science program, provides students with systematic instruction in economic living skills. It gives students in grades 10-12 an orientation to the economic realities and opportunities in society. The program helps students function effectively within the rapidly changing marketplace; manage personal and financial resources; apply personal values, citizenship responsibilities, and social, economic, and environmental considerations; act responsibly as consumer-citizens; participate in economic/government systems; and recognize enterpreneurship career opportunities. This module, the first in a series of five, contains three sections: (1) the Canadian marketplace--changes, technology, and environment; (2) the consumer and the economy--economic systems, interdependence, supply and demand, competition, and economic problems; and (3) the influence of the political and social systems on the marketplace--government, society, social change, and advertising. Each section may contain an introduction, purpose, scope, "for the teacher," related content, choices and challenges, and activities. Many activities are community oriented. Decision making, resource management, and citizen participation are emphasized. The activities in the core program are identified in the table of contents. Sections and individual activities can be used as supplements to business education, home economics, law, economics, social studies, or mathematics topics. Transparency masters and two appendices containing a list of resource organizations and tips for working in small groups are included. (NLA)