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...
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...
With schools either planning to reopen, or with some having already done so, this is a good time to examine how our learning spaces can look going forward. The main priority of course is to keep our educators and students safe. But maybe rather than trying to find...
Many educators are recognizing that students sitting at rows of desks for the majority of the day while a teacher lectures at the front of the room is not optimal in developing skills that foster students’ personal growth in communication, collaboration, creativity...
Our school year started with teachers returning for staff team-building and professional development August 1, about three and a half weeks before students were scheduled to start. Returning for our second year as a school, with a new grade level added, as well as...
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...
The West Vancouver Schools Early Childhood Education Centre next door to École Pauline Johnson represents a new standard for Canadian public education. Opening this year, the learning space will provide a permanent, nature-inspired sanctuary for 116 children, born from a partnership with NUQO Modular and Natural Pod that prioritizes speed, sustainability, and honors the developmental needs of our youngest learners.
How Intentional Learning Environments Communicate Values, Support Communities, and Shape Futures When you walk into a learning space, what does it say to the children who spend their days there? Does it communicate respect for their competence? Does it invite...
The journey of learning begins long before a child enters elementary school. In these early years, the environment profoundly shapes a child’s heart and mind. Through intentional design, learning spaces play a fundamental role in fostering well-being and sparking...
We've just returned from LearningSCAPES 2025, where conversations focused on a fundamental shift. We are all supporting an "anxious generation" and feeling the tension between humanity and technology. The central question was clear: How do we create spaces that not...
Welcome to another edition of The Chalkboard, a series from Natural Pod, that aims to spark thoughtful conversations and reflections on key topics like student well-being, the health of the planet, and the future of learning. This month, we're highlighting Natural...
In an era where educational design is recognized as pivotal in shaping future generations, Natural Pod is heading to LearningSCAPES 2025 to showcase the transformative power of sustainable learning environments. We're presenting two powerful sessions that explore how...
When Thomas Selishev speaks, his conviction is unmistakable. Even over a Zoom call, his voice carries urgency, but it is measured, purposeful. He traces his path into education to a simple principle: every child, regardless of background, deserves the best opportunities to learn.
Every educator knows the challenge: how do you create a classroom that not only inspires learning but also nurtures the well-being of every student? The answer, as it turns out, is found in nature itself. At Natural Pod, we believe that biophilic design—the practice...