Over the years, the sustainable procurement movement has helped us reduce our use of virgin material, shrink our carbon impact, and procure more goods and services from local organizations. One thing the movement hasn’t done enough of is remind us to focus on the end...
As a Principal, Craig knew that the classroom environments play a huge factor into how the children’s learning is shaped. If you are sitting in a row all day, and have all your work in one spot, what is that really saying about the learning piece when you need to be...
This coming April, Rethink Thinking is doing it again! Summit at the Bay — Canada’s only inquiry-based youth summit — is set to kick off on April 21 and 22, 2018, at Royal Bay Secondary in School District 62 (Sooke, BC). Picture 500 grades 9–12 students from across...
Bridgitte Alomes, Natural Pod's Founder & CEO is a finalist in the BCBusiness Women of the Year Awards for Entrepreneurial Leader! This is a great honour and we couldn't be more proud and delighted for her. Bridgitte will be in the company of other amazing women...
What we love most about our work are the people we work with. We’re very proud of our natural play community here at Natural Pod and to celebrate some of the people in our community, we’ve started a short series we’re calling our Natural Play Community People...
We tend to think of project-based learning as focused on research, planning problem-solving, authenticity, and inquiry. Further, collaboration, resourcefulness, and networking matter too–dozens of characteristics “fit” into project-based learning. Its popularity comes...
About this time last year, something really special happened with my work as the Director of Marketing at Natural Pod. After years of helping other organizations create better learning environments, we had the chance, at least in a small way, for my own kids to enjoy...
2024 has been a year of shifts, expansion, and growth for us here at Natural Pod. As we pause to reflect on the year’s highlights, it is clear that this was a year that renewed our steady rhythm of purpose, connection, and collaboration—the very heartbeat that...
Throughout history, the learning structures put in place and their associated physical spaces have been a reflection of the needs in society at large. And even before there were schools, there was the master and apprentice model. Ironically, this method of learning...
Do you remember a moment where someone’s encouragement made a world of difference? Sometimes hearing three simple words like “You got this!” can be powerful. And everyone can benefit from encouragement, no matter their age. When a child receives encouragement from an...
Take a moment to pause and look at the tree outside your window. Notice its expansive branches, the delicate sway of its leaves, and the texture of its bark. In the presence of nature, we often feel a deep sense of calm and connection to the world around us. As...
As another full school year comes to a close, it's a perfect time of year to begin preparing for a smooth restart for next year. Taking the time now, while your ideas from a year of learning and education are still fresh in your mind, and before the rush to restart...
At a time of dynamic shifts in learning environments, tight timelines, and limited budgets, educators are facing the challenge of realizing their lofty goals for both education and sustainability. Often, expedience compromises excellence, leaving educators...
At Natural Pod, we believe that sustainability is more than just certifications and labels. It's about continuously evaluating our choices to ensure they are the best for both people and the planet. With this ethos in mind, we are excited to share the remarkable story...
When it comes to investing in the learning spaces, we envision not only for future generations but also for the near future. As the long, sweet, warm days of summer swiftly approach, with the dreaded 'back-to-reality' whiplash of September hot on their heels (or flip...
Consider this for a moment: when you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. How might your learning space change when young learners have the opportunity to see the space from an elevated view? Or inches from the ground? Is it possible that...
Are you an educator who feels hesitant to rearrange your learning space due to fear of damaging your furniture or surrounding space? It's a common concern, but with well-built, modular furniture, you can create different learning spaces throughout the year without...
Creating a space that brings storytelling, idea sharing and group collaboration together provides opportunities for rich social interactions. Sometimes opportunities present themselves by rethinking the configuration of the learning environment. With this in mind, we...
The Natural Pod team believes we can create better learning environments for all ages, while being deeply committed to people and the planet. There is great work to be done to be responsible stewards of our environment throughout our business, leading to a positive...
When it comes to creating great learning environments with the intention of creating great learning outcomes, who gets to decide how to create them, and by what means? Welcome, stakeholders! We mostly know what ‘stakeholders’ means, but the term doesn’t sound very...