When we are truly learning something relevant to our lives, learning holds the capacity to ignite a stirring thrill, lighthearted joy, or driven curiosity. These stories echo those moments of learning that capture and unlock a deeper inquisitiveness, excitement, awareness, and joy in discovery of the subtle miracles of the world and our lives in it. --Daniela

Heartbeat of a Drum

A crew of 12-year-olds befriend a kind homeless woodcarver, who teaches them about life, drumming, and how the two go hand-in-hand. 20 years later, one of those 12-year-olds harmonizes those lessons into his school music lessons. Read Full Story »

7 Ways to Cultivate Joy & Empathy in Math

"After some years as a successful task master, I finally began taking 'holistic' to heart, opening my classroom to studies not only in calculus but in joy and empathy, too." Jill Halpern shares 7 examples of teaching the larger lessons of life along with math. Read Full Story »

Teaching Natural Disasters

After the California wildfires, Design Tech High schoolers construct 3D neighborhood models using green designs that also reduce fire risk. Amid extreme snowfall in Lake Tahoe, elementary students measure the snowpack and compare it with historical data. Educators build on recent calamities to enrich lessons about history, nature, and the environment. Read Full Story »

'Be The Change' Idea

Today, draw out the relevance of your lessons, assignments, or conversations. Ground an abstract theory in its practical purpose, or connect a mundane task to its greater mission.