"Environmental and sustainability literacy is needed to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to create the future we want - one with economic opportunity for all, a fair and just society, thriving ecosystems, and healthy human and more than human populations." -...
While our work at Natural Pod is focused on creating collaborative, sustainably made, nature connected learning indoor environments, we always remember that outdoor nature connection is a vital part of creating great learning outcomes. When we come across inspiring...
Being a young person today is not easy. Many are under stress to perform well in school, get into a good college, or excel on the playing field. But what about students who are stressed because they need to earn money to put food on the table for their family? Or...
Leadership for Green Schools: Sustainability for Our Children, Our Communities, and Our Planet - This is a wonderfully rich book that uncovers the many facets of what it means to be a green school, and the leadership tools needed to embrace whole school...
It happened in the blink of an eye. One day, schools were packed with kids shuffling down hallways between classes, teachers chasing down homework assignments, and administrators fielding parent requests and student events. Then everything changed. The halls were...
With a return to school becoming a reality for many, and with so many questions around the future of education, where does one turn to for leadership? It’s unlikely any one person has the answers, and nor could they. This time is unprecedented. And although...
Thank you to all of you who recently entered our Natural Pod newsletter subscription contest! Subscribing to our newsletter gave you a chance to be entered to win a pair of our beautiful, new, sustainably made Natural Pod Stools. They are the classroom stool you’ve...
Diversity and inclusivity in learning environments is a topic that is at the heart of our work in creating empowering and multifunctional learning furniture inspired by educators and learners’ needs. This article is written by our inhouse Learning & Development...
A recent working paper from the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University has cast a critical spotlight on a hidden threat in our children’s learning spaces: indoor air pollution. As a leader in sustainable and healthy educational furniture solutions, Natural Pod is amplifying this crucial research, underscoring the urgent need to prioritize cleaner indoor air in early learning facilities.
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.
Many children and educators have now started school, others are about to, and some families have opted for virtual or home learning. So a ‘new normal’ really translates as ‘a fresh discovery phase’. While we are still exploring how education could look, not only in...
Whenever the Natural Pod team collaborates with educators there’s always a great sense of forward motion; it’s exciting! Although usually done in an in-person setting, we were required to pivot and offered our first virtual workshop this week. With a focus on...
After all these months, it feels that collectively we’re taking a deep breath and accepting that unfortunately covid is here to stay for the foreseeable future. In some ways that makes the task ahead a little easier, in that most educational institutions,...
Despite the challenges posed by having to adjust in-person learning for physical distancing, it has been uplifting to experience the creativity of so many educators seeking to create the best, safest solution possible for students and teachers. For a while...
Even in the middle of the covid pandemic this amazing early learning centre was imagined and created, and we couldn't be prouder of the results. It goes to show what is possible when a creative vision is mixed with strong leadership. The new CEFA Early...
Voyagers' Community School was already a very intentional and inspiring learning environment to be part of. In light of the pandemic they have been working hard to adapt their learning environments to meet physical distancing needs while still being the...
Photo shows from left to right: Aliki Gladwin, interior designer for the project; Candice Harper and Carol Choi from Union Gospel Mission, responsible for setting up the new center; Sharon Gregson, child care consultant and provincial spokesperson for the...
With so many questions around the future of learning and education, it is certainly a challenging time. But I do feel this is also an unprecedented moment full of potential should we wish to take it. With bold leadership I think we have an opportunity to shift away...
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...
Thank you to Jennifer Seydel of Green Schools National Network for this heartfelt leadership piece:All of us are grappling with a number of feelings right now, chief among them uncertainty about the upcoming school year. Many if not all of you have already...