In a much celebrated article entitled, Twelve Places to Intervene in a System, Donella Meadows wrote that the power to transcend mindsets or paradigms is the most upstream place to intervene in a system to make positive systemic...
Get To Know About Inspiration Stories
‘Moving’ for Well-Being as the Third Teacher in 21st Century Schools
Learning and moving inside and outside the classroom – seems like a simple idea that is easy to do – but we know from research and everyday life that ‘moving’ for well-being is easier said than done. Daily physical activity and movement in schools is a topic that has...
Place-Based Education Opens Doors to Authentic Learning
Those of us who are engaged in environmental and sustainability literacy talk a lot about developing a “sense of place,” or a better understanding and appreciation for our immediate environment. This is not an easy task within the confines of a classroom environment....
Learning First Hand from STEM School and Explorer Academy Educators
Recently, I had the privilege of visiting two schools of our customers in West Virginia. We have worked closely with both schools, MUEE (Marshall University Early Education) Stem School and Explorer Academy, to create learning environments that connect to their...
New Project Photo Gallery: Carlton House
Carlton House is based in a beautiful historic heritage building in Dubbo, NSW, Australia. With the focus on the environment, as the foundation for an early childhood and preschool curriculum that is intriguing and aesthetically pleasing, inviting all children’s...
Call for Nominations is Open for the Best of Green Schools 2016
The Green Schools National Network is excited to announce that it is partnering with the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council to co-present the “Best of Green Schools 2016”! The Best of Green Schools recognizes the people, schools, campuses,...
New Project Photos: Yukon Wildlife Preserve
At the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, they try to create programming experiences that feel special and are crafted for the interests and abilities of the children’s age that learn in their environment. They do that by focusing on age appropriate physical activity and...
New Project: AKIDEMY Early Learning & Care
AKIDEMY was designed as a space for children to create, explore, interact and collaborate in many different ways; this is the very essence of the Reggio Philosophy. When Tristan and I took the leap and decided to open our own program, we both knew that at the core of...
2015 BC Buy Local Week
The BC Buy Local campaign celebrates local business to promote the contributions that BC businesses make to our economy and our communities. The goal of the campaign is to illuminate the local market, making BC-based businesses, products, food and wines more visible...
Photos and Video: Mariners Church Preschool New Space
Lisa Sciabica, Director of Mariners Church Preschool, came to us this past August, searching to transform her traditional preschool into a more natural, Reggio-inspired learning environment. With much love for her preschool and its families, she deeply knew that a...
Recent News & Stories
Human Centered Design Drives Student Learning at One Stone
What is One Stone? One Stone launched in 2008 as a nonprofit supporting after school experiential service opportunities for high school students (grades 9-12) seeking deep involvement in sustainable outcomes to improve the greater Boise, Idaho...
Learning And Play At Learning Scapes
Bridgitte, Natural Pods CEO, and Shannon, Director of Operations, recently returned from the LearningScapes conference that took place in California this year. Speaking with them post-conference, they shared they found it incredibly impactful. This is what Bridgitte...
Educating Compassionate and Creative Global Citizens
We'd like to share with you this great letter we received along with the parents of the students of Oak Park Unified School District. It beautifully explains the intention and journey of Oak Park USD to create better learning environments that support...
Designing Learning Environments for How Students Learn
The education community, understandably, often tends to think about learning as a product of our education system, though according to research by Dr. Joshua Eyler, learning is, in fact, evolutionary and simply part of our genetic make-up. Therefore,...
Green Schools Network Tackles Whole School Sustainability
Every year an amazing group of people from across North America come together with the purpose of laying the foundation for the next strategic steps for the Green Schools National Network (GSNN). It is also a perfect time for us to break out of our day to day, deepen...
Communities Rally at Climate Strikes and Call for Sustainable Action
Did you take part in one of the climate strikes during the 20-27th September? Many of the Natural Pod team did, joining their children and marching alongside them this past Friday. It was quite an incredible day, with the impact of that action still be...
Design Thinking and Student Travel: Tools To Craft A More Sustainable World
To build a more sustainable planet we need new perspectives. We need to reframe the global challenges of climate change, consumption, and waste, and develop ideas that can change the way the world functions. Design thinking is an incredible tool that anyone can use to...
What Are Students Hoping To Achieve During The Global Student Climate Strike?
As a sustainable educational furniture company that takes its environmental responsibilities very seriously, we are paying close attention to the upcoming Student Global Climate Strike happening between 20th and 27th of September.As a member of the Natural...
Who Won Our Back to School Photo Sharing Contest!
Thank you to all of our amazing community members who shared their inspiring photo entries in our 'Back To School Photo Contest'. It's been such a pleasure to see your wonderful learning environments and the creative use of Natural Pod furniture in your...
Design Thinking As A Framework For Developing And Leading New Approaches To Learning
This brief essay isn’t intended to reiterate the long history of design thinking as best expressed by the brilliant David Kelley, founder of IDEO and the Stanford d.school, as there are numerous resources readily available for educators. Instead, it’s meant to...