At Natural Pod, we’re passionate about creating beautiful and accessible learning environments where children thrive. Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of doing this work in collaboration with remarkable educators and have witnessed the transformation of their...
Our very own Bridgitte Alomes, the CEO and founder of Natural Pod, is a panel speaker at the next SXSW Edu in Austin 2020. Her panel colleagues are some incredible movers and shakers in the education world as you can see below, and this session is sure to have many...
Can you hear them? Were they listening? As I enter any learning space, these questions are often in the forefront of my thinking. Through this lens, it becomes clear whether the design of the space is soaked in the ideas and needs of students or whether the design was...
The Green Schools National Network (GSNN) has been doing tremendous work since 2007 in furthering the Green Schools movement. They have created a broad and energetic network of PreK-12 teachers, leaders, and professionals who learn from each other with the common goal...
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...
The BC Ministry of Education Early Years Program has published a wonderful story about the importance of early years education programs. Read the full post on the BC Early Years Blog. There are many factors to a child’s early learning, including parents, caregivers,...
I have had two play stands with arches in my Kindergarten classroom for the past year and I continue to be impressed with their versatility. I placed them in what used to be my “house corner”. Prior to the play arches, this area of my classroom had a traditional play...
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...
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 team at Natural Pod is thankful that we’re able to continue designing, producing and delivering exceptional learning environments during these uncertain times. For those who are able, this is a great time to get creative and move forward with existing or new...
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...
The maker movement has taken on a life of its own over the last few years. K-12 schools are starting to jump on the bandwagon too, creating makerspaces of their own. What is a makerspace? Picture shop or industrial arts class only made over for 21st century learning....
Well organized classroom storage can be one of the most effective ways to bring calm into your classroom as a new school year begins. After all, how can you create a truly functional and inspiring space while being surrounded by an overwhelming number of materials. We...
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...
It’s the final stretch in our “what makes a house a home” contest. Tell us your thoughts and nominate your favorite preschool, family place, etc. to win The Natural Pod we’re giving away! My favorite quote of last week came from a Mom who said...
Incorporating natural elements into the classroom may sound like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. There are countless simple steps any educator can take to make their students’ learning environment more calm and natural. Here are five ways to help get you...
In the dynamic realm of educational design, the importance of creating tranquil, inspiring spaces cannot be overstated. Recent research sheds light on the profound influence of classroom environments on the well-being of both learners and educators, prompting...
Recently we brought the story of Aurelia, the Mama behind Aurelia’s Creations. It went so well (thanks for all the comments) that we want to share with you the story of another of our Natural Pod artisans: Chris Bertin. Chris is the creative force behind our...
What if our schools were more than just buildings? What if they were intentional spaces, designed to nurture well-being and empower students? This question drives the collaborative work of Fielding International and Natural Pod, the first B Corp certified school...
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...