For students to thrive now and in their future they need to learn how to become adaptable lifelong learners. Their future will most likely entail having multiple jobs or careers, not one employment stream for life and we need to prepare them for that. In fact they may...
How we design 21st century learning environments matters. This is just one of the key messages that Bridgitte Alomes, CEO of Natural Pod and President of Green Schools National Network (GSNN), conveyed in her keynote address at the 8th Canadian EdTech Leadership...
At Natural Pod, we know the design and furnishing of learning spaces influences education outcomes. Recently, Fast Company published a great article outlining some of their own findings on this important topic. Students spend an average of 11,700 hours of their lives...
In the United States, there is a group of seven days a year acknowledged in the month of May, which we call 'Teacher Appreciation Week'. But anyone connected to children or education (which is nearly everyone in some way) knows that to truly honor the dedication...
This is the second of two stories from GreenNotes part of the 'Green Schools National Network' - looking at some of the ways that educators are using literacy to deepen students' understanding of sustainability and engage them in meaningful learning experiences to...
Join Natural Pod, VMDO Architects and ShawContract on Giving Tuesday while we each match donations up to $2500 USD for the Green Schools National Network (GSNN) to raise funds for the work and research GSNN do to further the green schools movement and accelerate...
Bridgitte Alomes, founder of Natural Pod learning furniture, joins the ONEder podcast to advocate for creating healthy, sustainable and intentional learning environments for children. Inspired by her son's allergic reaction to toxic chemicals in a toy, Bridgitte...
'What Does It Mean To Be A Citizen In The 21st Century? - Fostering Civic Engagement Among Youth in K-12 Schools'. "[T]he young are idealistic, have an underdeveloped sense of their own mortality, and are afflicted with an exaggerated thirst for justice." –...
Interior Design's Best of Year is the design industry's premiere design awards program, honoring the most significant work of the year as well as recognizing designers, architects and manufacturers from around the globe. This year, you can help the Natural Pod team...
How can children produce food, learn science, and develop a sense of ecological responsibility all at once? The answer lies in a school or home garden—a place where observation becomes both a science lesson and a vital behavior, where cooperation grows alongside...
What is Tremont Institute? “I wish school could be like this all the time.” – student quote This quote, more than any data, outcomes, or metrics, captures the essence of what we hope for students and teachers who participate in our school programs at Great Smoky...
As a part of my work as a school designer, I’m able to visit and walk through many flavors of schools. My role is to help leaders and design teams to resee and care for their buildings, help them to notice what has moved to the background, and ask questions that...
Every step forward in recognizing the power of good between and for people and the planet, is a step towards a kinder and more equitable world. So we are delighted that Natural Pod has been announced as a finalist in the BCBusiness 2021 Business of Good Awards! And...
The first episode of Natural Pod™ LIVE is available to watch! For those who watched live we loved hearing from you that it was a great success. We are excited that this format of having deeper conversations with educational leaders and hearing their personal stories...
Over the last year as the pandemic has grown in consequence, I’ve been listening to the open schools, keep schools closed debate. Some of it, on both sides, seemed like a proxy war about things like teacher voice, local control, and funding, but some of the debates...
Monarch Montessori is tucked away between UBC and Kitsilano and surrounded by the true elements of what we know as Beautiful British Columbia. The Founder and Principal, Grace Chou has been a long standing supporter and customer of Natural Pod since October 2014. I...
With a new year comes new and re-energized conversations about the direction of education. Due to the unexpected additional challenges that developed because of covid, these conversations are encompassing even more facets than usual and a heightened sense of...
In a time of uncertainty, being able to visit The Collective Tennyson Childcare Centre was a moment of both inspiration and reflection. Reflection on why we do what we do and inspiration to keep doing more of it. There are a lot of good people who are continuing to do...
Wishing you a happy, kinder, and more joyful new year. We hope you found time to rejuvenate over the holiday season, connect with loved ones, and had the opportunity to reflect on all there is to be grateful for. In the spirit of offering some hope and inspiration to...
Wow, what a year! We’d like to pause for a moment as 2020 draws to a close and deeply acknowledge educators and parents and the courage they’ve shown in navigating the unprecedented circumstances of this past year. Our team has directly experienced how incredibly...