A ‘Green New Deal’ (GND) has been proposed in the US by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Edward Markey. It has many facets, but one of the main aims of the proposal would be to achieve net-zero greenhouse emissions by creating millions of green jobs and investing...
Sustainability and student equality are interlinked; one cannot succeed without the other. Sustainability in education is not only about being green, but lives at the intersection of ecological, economic and social sustainability; it’s that combination that has the...
This is a really interesting time in education right now. There are some big questions being asked and powerful discussions being had. Personally I’m delighted, particularly because so many educators and change makers are directly asking and listening to students for...
We know you want what’s best for your students. You want them to be healthy, happy, and in an environment in which they can perform at their best. Did you know that you already have many of the tools at your fingertips necessary to create the ultimate green classroom?...
Have you seen any of the ‘Broken’ documentaries on Netflix? They’re very well produced and make for compelling watching - whether you’re an educator or not. Each of the four episodes take a hard look at the darker side and real cost of consumer habits, and we’re aware...
Thank you so much to all who took part in this CreateSpace classroom giveaway! We really appreciate the time and energy that went into all the amazing entries and you sharing with us some of the challenges you are facing, what you are looking for, and which furniture...
What a joy to be a part of Natural Pod. I have been helping out behind the scenes here at Natural Pod for a while now. I have to say, you are a very inspiring network of people! It is wonderful to have this opportunity to say Hello, and introduce myself. I would like...
With many resources available offering recommendations and options for a safe return to school and how to implement physical distancing, it seems a great time to have a conversation about what ‘A Return To Learning’ could look like. One with a greater focus on the...
Our work is not only to create high-quality, functional, beautiful and non-toxic learning furniture. But also to innovate within this space. To create new paradigms for how educational environments and experiences are thought about, and how those are tied to ethical...
For a classroom to foster 21st-century learning styles, it needs a 21st-century classroom design with multi-purpose spaces and connected learning areas that support movement, student choice, and a collaborative environment. Educators were asked to rank the importance...
Designing a learning environment means making decisions for children you haven't met yet, at ages they haven't reached, in a room that will be used in ways you can't fully anticipate. That weight is real — and educators carry it every time they choose furniture. One...
Originally written by Michelle Carpenter. Updated by Natural Pod on March 30, 2026. A child walks into a classroom and within seconds, they start making sense of the space. The light. The colors. The level of visual noise on the walls. Before a single lesson begins,...
The physical environment fundamentally shapes human behavior, and in educational spaces, intentionally integrating biophilic design elements can positively influence student actions to drive better learning outcomes. While humans have an intrinsic need to connect with...
That is how long a child spends in a classroom between kindergarten and graduation. That is 15,000 hours of breathing, touching, and existing in a space that tells them who they are and what they are worth. If you have ever stood in a learning environment and known in...
Designing for a Regenerative Future At Natural Pod, we believe that when we design spaces with care, we create the conditions for everyone to contribute their best work. This principle guides our presence at the 2026 B Corp™ Champions Retreat in Milwaukee, where we...
Traditional school buildings were designed for an industrial era that has long since passed. Mirroring a factory assembly line, these spaces were built on a model where students move sequentially from room to room for seated, direct instruction. This system was...
There is growing consensus among educators, neuroscientists, and child development researchers that the environments in which children learn matter as much as what they are being taught. Nowhere is this more evident — or more underutilized — than in early childhood...
Move beyond “sit and behave” with student-centered learning. Learn how to redesign school culture and physical environments to spark curiosity and agency.
Research shows risky play builds essential life skills. We dive into the benefits of adventurous play and how to empower educators to embrace it safely.
The Design Mandate for Future-Ready Skills The modern educational landscape requires a shift toward cultivating robust, future-ready skills such as collaboration, problem-solving, and resilience. These competencies are essential for success in rigorous Project-Based...