sources of inspiration
“Most scientists today began their careers as children, chasing bugs and snakes, collecting spiders, and feeling awe in the presence of nature. Since such untidy activities are fast disappearing, how, then, will our future scientists learn about nature?” -Richard Louv, 2008, Last Child in the Woods
Barnali Ghosh Art
Check out @berkeleywali on instagram. She's so creative and is inspirational as a natural historian. Now has her art available on posters and calendars, and proceeds go to good causes.
Bernard Spiegel
A blogger who addresses important questions relating to play provisions, freedom, and human rights. The link is to one particular blog entry, “Something is profoundly wrong with the way we live today.”
This Jewish author from Great Britain then began focusing on the effects of apartheid on Palestinian schoolchildren, and now reports from those working on the frontlines of governmental affects on families and communities. It’s incredibly eye opening and I recommend checking it out:
California Academy of Sciences
Located in San Francisco, California, this museum offers themed NightLife parties every Thursday night. They feature local music, resouces, and seasonal, adult beverages.
Garden History Girl
Fascinating stories, photos, and illustrations in the blog highlight the history of gardens through the centuries.
Girls Garage
Located in Berkeley, California, Girls Garage offers real world building skills to girls ages 9-17.
“How does a newt cross the road? The teams trying to end a nightly carnage,”
by Maanvi Singh with photographs by Christie Hemm Klok, The Guardian
A really great article about others who, like Outside School folks, are working to make a small impact on big problems.
“How to raise emotionally intelligent kids”
In Lael Stone’s TEDx talk, she describes what it’s like to hold space for children’s emotions, allowing them to develop emotional intelligence.
Integral-Essential Learning
Ideas about how students learn best, in an integrated way.
“'It’s a miracle': Helsinki's radical solution to homelessness”
by Jon Henley
From giving new mothers items to help their newborns for seeking prenatal care, to offering education that meets the developmental needs of children, to working toward homes for all, Finland is nailing it again.
Khan Academy
If you're interested in brushing up on a variety of academic subjects, you can do so for free, online here.
"Lana Wachowski receives the HUman Rights Campaign Visibility Award"
It truly takes a village to raise a child. Please find 30 minutes to watch this beautiful speech
Lindsay Wildlife Experience
This Walnut Creek, California museum hosts lectures and adult party nights among the California native, non-releasable animals.
Lit 2 Go
Classic books available as audio files through iTunes. "Read" the classics at your leisure!
LITMOM
I met a woman with a really cool website in support of Black mothers like herself. There’s even support for those who are mother-like, without having children of their own!
Make
Magazine, online resources, and in person Maker Faires offer up inspiration and creative projects. Learn by doing!
Masters with Masters
Video series by NASA offers incredible insights into personal and organizational growth past tremendous hurdles and mistakes, reaching far past space science and engineering.
The Natural Histories Project
Short audio clips from naturalists are an ever-present source of inspiration for the work we do.
Open Source Ecology
Marcin Jakubowski creates open access hardware designs for building the tools of civilization anywhere for little cost, his Global Village Construction Set. Check out the TED talk on his front page, too.
Paul k. Dayton
Paul Dayton talks about his and his family’s education.
Public Library of Science
PLOS offers free online journals for research.
Run!
A bit of inspiration for freedom and the future of running.
"Some Strange Things Are Happening to Astronauts Returning to Earth"
by Adam Albright-Hanna, Upworthy
Astronauts' viewpoints as experts on Earth.
Spoonflower
Fabric sales site with a ton of fabulous designs and fabrics. You can even design your own fabrics!
Spring Hills Farm
Holiday carriage rides, cut-them-yourself trees, maple syrup produced on the farm, and facilities for staying, meeting and learning in Pennsylvania.
TED Education
Full of videos sharing ideas about changing the educational landscape.
Tekla Labs
A place to upload and download free designs for open source lab equipment.
“True Play Check-In #5: Dr. Lawrence Cohen”
by Anji Play
There are so many “aha!” moments in this video for teachers and parents alike.
“Tyres in School Grounds”
by Juliet Robertson, Creative STAR Learning, Ltd.
Not only is this a fantastic resource about using used tires for play areas, but there are also helpful prompts on risk assessment.
"What are Your Dreams for Children and Educators?"
by Isauro Michael Escamilla, M.A.
Speech excerpt from the closing statements at the National Association for the Education of Young Children Professional Development Institute in San Francisco
“What We WEre Born For”
by Emilie Lygren
Each of her poems is beautiful, acting as an invitation to self-reflection, a sharing in our common humanity.
“Why Flexischool?”
by Personalized Education Now
A term more commonly used in the UK, but in the US parents became used to a similar concept during COVID-times: hybrid.
"Youth engagement in Parks"
by Sierra Zacks
Western Governors Association speech on the importance of involving teens in parks.