A year in review: 2022

by Michelle Carpenter | Jan 18, 2023 | Inspiration

Our 2022 word of the year was partnership. Through intentional partnerships we were able to impact learners and educators in new, meaningful ways.  Leaders in learning (aka you!) created better learning environments all around the world! Some of you impacted spaces...

What we’re reading: We Want A School!

by Michelle Carpenter | Nov 22, 2022 | Inspiration

  “We Want A School!” – a book illustrating how children define the learning spaces they truly want & need. “We Want a School,” written and illustrated by Enrico Giori and the learners of Grade 5B of the Caracciolo Elementary School Milan, explores from...

Learn more about the dynamic A4LE conversations helping shape better learning environments 

by Michelle Carpenter | Oct 17, 2022 | Inspiration

The Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) is a non-profit, interdisciplinary association of professionals working at the intersection of learning and place to drive the evolution of learning environments. Made up of regions and chapters across the globe, their...

Growing with intention

by Michelle Carpenter | Jul 18, 2022 | Inspiration

To further support Natural Pod’s growth and impact in the world, we are delighted to welcome two new solutions team members: Tania Crosbie and Chris Jack. As education advocates, they will bring exceptional partnership to educators and planners who are working to...

Natural Pod partners with five disruptive & planet friendly Canadian companies to transform learning environments

by Michelle Carpenter | Jul 8, 2022 | Inspiration

Natural Pod, a Canadian educational furniture manufacturer, curated with five leading sustainability-focused brands a mixed-material collection of furniture and textiles. The selected products not only aim to enhance the tactile experience and harmonious visual...

Imagine That: Envisioning the Future with SchoolsNEXT

by Michelle Carpenter | May 4, 2022 | Inspiration

Our very own Michelle Carpenter, Chief Strategy Officer of Natural Pod, is A4LE SchoolsNEXT Southeast Chair, National Co-Chair, and committed to the future of the SchoolsNEXT student design competition. Last year she documented her participation experience in the...

Creating cultural change through student co-authorship of their learning environments

by Michelle Carpenter | Feb 3, 2022 | Inspiration

Since the beginning days of the industrial model, learning environments have been anchored to direct instruction and information-giving models. A place where students, or pupils, show up to a building to learn because that location was the only place for it to occur....

Make sustainable and values-led decisions all year long

by Michelle Carpenter | Nov 23, 2021 | Inspiration

It’s hard not to be aware of the selling and buying messages flying around at this time of year. They’re a good reminder to try and make sustainable and values-led buying choices whenever possible, as the decisions we make today can impact ourselves, each...

Key takeaways and outcomes from A4LE LearningSCAPES 2021

by Michelle Carpenter | Oct 20, 2021 | Inspiration

Although the majority of my working time is as chief strategy officer at Natural Pod, I thoroughly enjoy wearing other hats within education as well; I sit on the board of Green Schools National Network and I’m also the national co-chair and southeast chair of...

Take the pledge with us for California Clean Air Day

by Michelle Carpenter | Sep 28, 2021 | Inspiration

The recent forest fires throughout this country and others have illustrated many things – one of which being that a problem in one area can greatly affect another, as smoke drifted some 3000 miles away from the central location of the California fires....

Design for Early Learning – Join the Symposium

by Michelle Carpenter | Sep 9, 2021 | Inspiration

Even before the dramatic and transformative events of 2020, we recognized the need to strengthen a specific set of connections: those between design professionals and early childhood education professionals. All children who spend time in early learning spaces, such...

Student voice informs learning space design

by Michelle Carpenter | Jul 2, 2021 | Inspiration

We are often building and creating spaces for an audience we rarely interact with. Even scarier, we are often building based on our own experiences, some of which we had 10, 20, or dare I say 40 years ago. A few things have changed a wee bit since then. So, how...

Make a choice that matters.

by Michelle Carpenter | Apr 21, 2021 | Inspiration

On average, we make a mere 35,000 decisions each day, from deciding how many times to hit snooze, to each element of a meal, to making purchases as a consumer or business. Navigating these decisions can be simple or complex – which would you prefer? Make a...