Enjoy all our latest education news and stories
At Natural Pod™, our purpose is to ensure every learner and educator has a practical, healthy, sustainable environment in which to learn and be inspired, enabling them to reach their full potential. You can find all our news and stories here, where we share ideas and thinking that inspire our work to help inspire yours.
Natural Pod™ LIVE – Episode 06 – Designing an Integrated and Holistic Sustainability Journey
Natural Pod™ LIVE Episode Six is available to watch! If you are in any way connected to educational architecture, design or planning, this episode with Kate Mraw, Design Director at LPA Design Studios (LPA), is an absolute must watch! Kate shares so much insight...
Why I always attend the Green Schools Conference
With our virtual bags packed, my colleague Kelly Rosensweet and myself have headed to the Green Schools Conference along with the Green Schools National Network team. The conference is taking place today and tomorrow - June 28th & 29th, both as half days. After a...
We’re excited for the upcoming Green Schools Conference, are you joining us?
This year Natural Pod is teaming up with Green Schools National Network and heading to the Green Schools Conference! It's taking place virtually over two half days on June 28 and 29th, and there are some fantastic speakers, events and interactive sessions lined up....
We’re ready to help transform your learning spaces over the summer
It’s exciting that many schools will welcome students back to campuses soon, but it’s putting a lot of pressure on educators and administrators to make decisions very fast, not only for the end of this school year but the beginning of the next as well. We understand...
Join us at the Green Schools Conference, happening soon
This year Natural Pod will be teaming up with Green Schools National Network and heading to the Green Schools Conference! It's taking place virtually over two half days on June 28 and 29th, and there are some fantastic speakers and interactive sessions and events...
Rethink Outside: The Positive Impact of Outdoor Learning
We are emerging from a year that presented new learning challenges and opportunities. While learning did not cease to take place, it shifted to new topics and new locations. Looking ahead, the value of learning outdoors and true outdoor learning will continue to hold...
Designing for Sustainable, Resilient Schools
Learning during a pandemic has spotlighted concepts that have always been involved in some education conversations, but now seem to dominate the media, talk in the community and future planning. These concepts include synchronous and asynchronous learning,...
Another fantastic win for ecological design in education and its benefit to learners
This week, a project that I know well and is close to my heart won an Education Facility Design Award. Presented by the AIA (The American Institute of Architects) and its Committee, the benefactor is LPA Design Studios for the creation of the Environmental Nature...
Why Natural Pod strongly opposes logging of old growth forest
We’ve been greatly saddened to learn of the logging of old growth forest that’s been taking place, particularly at Nahmint River watershed and Fairy Creek on unceded Pacheedaht First Nation territory on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, in Canada. Natural Pod is...
The buying decisions you make now can create a positive difference that lasts
It seems decision time has come a little early this year, with many of you being called upon to make choices now that will shape the new school year in September. Though these decisions will impact students long past a school year, they have the power to positively...
Natural Pod™ LIVE – Episode 05 – How open ended learning environments deepen learning
Welcome back, Natural Pod™ LIVE Episode Five is available to watch! This was a really uplifting episode; full of discussions of what’s possible when you think big and aim big while leaving lots of room for trying out new things and seeing what happens. This week...
Recognizing the Holistic Role of K-12 Schools: Design Principles for Social-Emotional Learning
COVID-19 has directly impacted students through widespread school closures, loss of learning, and widening disparities. It has also had consequential indirect impacts on students. A troubling rise in child neglect (Thomas et al., 2020), stress related to food...
Hide the reset button! Let’s rejuvenate spaces for learning
During the pandemic, learners have experienced emotional and psychological stress to varying degrees. Some of the effects represent themselves in depression, challenges to self-esteem, fear, and emotional and psychological anxiety. Each learner’s experience is unique...
Across geography and demography: raising access to high-quality childcare
Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. Raised by a single mother alongside four other children. A dedicated mother, who pursued quality education and care for each of her five children, no matter the costs. Ashanti continued on to pursue an education in early childhood...
Make a choice that matters.
On average, we make a mere 35,000 decisions each day, from deciding how many times to hit snooze, to each element of a meal, to making purchases as a consumer or business. Navigating these decisions can be simple or complex - which would you prefer? Make a simple and...
Natural Pod™ LIVE – Episode 04 – Changing engagement for Indigenous learners
Welcome back, Natural Pod™ LIVE Episode Four is available to watch! About This Episode This episode offers such an inspiring and eye-opening conversation between Maureen Dockendorf, Early Care and Learning Strategic Consultant at the British Columbia Ministry of...
Natural Pod™ LIVE – Episode 03 – Discover how high quality childcare helps communities thrive
Natural Pod™ LIVE has been created for, and by, our incredible community of educators, students, architects and anyone with a stake in creating better learning spaces and experiences. It's an online streaming talk show where we interview education leaders who share...
When you’re ready, we’re here to create better learning environments alongside you
It's been incredible to witness the resilience of educators during this last year and their commitment to their students well-being, both academically and with a deep care for their emotional states and individual circumstances as well. Not that the Natural Pod team...
Oak Park Unified School District repurposes shipping containers as classrooms
Oak Park Unified School District approached their furnishings and finishes as intentionally as the building itself - with the goal of supporting their district-wide sustainability values and instructional program. This story is featured in the spring issue of Learning...
Why women-led organizations are thriving during COVID-19
The pandemic has hit many organizations and businesses hard, with women disproportionately feeling the negative impacts. Yet, many organizations with women at the helm are not only surviving – they’re thriving. We're honored that Natural Pod's CEO and Co-founder,...
Learn how to activate a school design team to create lasting change
One of the biggest mistakes that I made early on as a school designer was to engage in the change process around learning spaces without a team. Don’t get me wrong. I asked for input, listened to the needs of others and designed with empathy. All of these elements are...
Expanding Our Impact on The Students and Educators We Serve
From driving the first rented moving truck to deliver our first furniture order, to serving nearly one million students to date, Natural Pod has and is continuing to grow in many ways. Looking ahead, we are delighted to share that our team is growing to further our...
Natural Pod Recognized in the BCBusiness 2021 Business of Good Awards!
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. We are delighted that Natural Pod has been recognized as a runner-up in finals for the BCBusiness 2021 Business of Good...
Natural Pod™ LIVE – Episode 02 – How Student Life Informs Equitable Learning Space Design
Welcome back; Natural Pod™ LIVE Episode Two is available to watch! Bridgitte Alomes, Natural Pod’s CEO and Founder had the privilege of speaking with Jill Ackers-Clayton, Senior Learning Designer with award-winning education design firm Fielding International on this...
The New Tremont Experience: Making Essential Learning Connections in the Outdoors During COVID-19
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...
What Makes A Healthy School Building?
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 their buildings, help them to notice what has moved to the background, and ask questions that promote actionable...
Natural Pod Is Honored To Be A Finalist In The BCBusiness 2021 Business of Good Awards!
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...
Natural Pod™ LIVE – Episode 01 – Creating Indoor/Outdoor Learning Spaces
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...
We Must Care For Educators Too, Here’s How
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...
Learning More About The Amazing Work Educators Do And Why They Chose Natural Pod
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...
Can Inside/Outside Learning Environments Support The Evolution Of Education?
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...
Connecting With And Being Inspired By Educators And The Great Work They Do
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...
Start 2021 Inspired And Hopeful With Our Best Education Inspiration Stories
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...
Thank You Educators! Thank You Parents! You Are All Superheroes!
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...
The Best Project Profiles And Photos To Inspire You In 2021
As 2020 comes to a close the Natural Pod team have been reflecting on all this year has unexpectedly brought, including the successes and triumphs of educators and students over the last 12 months. To inspire you to stay in a place of creativity going forward into...
How Does Sustainability Support Student Equity?
Sustainability and student equality are interlinked; one cannot succeed without the other. Sustainability in education is not only about being green, but lives at the intersection of ecological, economic and social sustainability; it’s that...
What Makes Natural Pod Products Sustainable And Environmentally Responsible?
When products are described as being sustainable and environmentally responsible what does that really mean? And does it always mean the same thing? There isn’t a universal definitive definition, and that’s why one has to look a little deeper into a...
The New ‘Healthy’: Creating Emotionally Safe Learning Environments For Students and Teachers
What does it mean to be healthy at school? There’s the physical space to consider – ensuring school buildings are clean, safe, and conducive to learning and teaching – as well as occupant health and well-being. However, in the context of a...
Innovative Shelving That Supports Physical Distancing And Adaptable Learning Spaces
The idea of what is required from educational environments was evolving long before the pandemic, and although this year has been full of challenges there has been a consistent vocalization that we need flexible, sustainable, and adaptable learning spaces...