303. Let Children Lead Through Entrepreneurship with Leah Ellis

303. Let Children Lead Through Entrepreneurship with Leah Ellis

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we’re joined by Leah Ellis, founder of the Society of Child Entrepreneurs, a nonprofit helping children ages six to 17 build real business, financial, and leadership skills through hands-on experience. Leah shares how watching her own daughter start a business at four years old sparked a bigger vision for helping children lead, create, and solve problems right now. We explore what happens when adults step back, ask better questions, and let young people make real decisions. Leah walks us through children’s business fairs, mastermind groups, problem spotting, financial literacy, and the power of letting kids learn from failure in safe, meaningful ways. Tune in to hear how entrepreneurship can help children build confidence, agency, and practical skills for life. To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org [http://pastfoundation.org] We unbox: * How the Society of Child Entrepreneurs helps children build business, money, and leadership skills * Why adults should guide children with questions instead of managing their ideas * What children learn through business fairs, product design, customer interaction, and failure * How entrepreneurship builds confidence, resilience, and real-world problem-solving * Ways educators and families can start small with market days, problem spotting, and “how” questions Resources: * Society of Child Entrepreneurs [https://societyofchildentrepreneurs.org/] * Society of Child Entrepreneurs on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/SocietyofChildEntrepreneurs/] * Sparks to Stars: The Story of Astra & Zeke [https://www.amazon.com/Sparks-Stars-Story-Astra-Zeke/dp/B0G3GMZCKW] * Acton Children’s Business Fair [https://www.childrensbusinessfair.org/] * Kansas Leadership Center [https://kansasleadershipcenter.org/] * Search Institute’s Developmental Assets [https://searchinstitute.org/resources-hub/developmental-assets-framework/] Produced by NOVA [https://novapodcasting.com/]

302. Centering Student Agency Through Experiential Learning with Amy Besida

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we’re joined by Amy Besida, Chief Program Officer at Embarc, a Chicago-based organization helping schools bring learning beyond the classroom through real-world experiences, reflection, and community connection. Amy shares how Embarc grew from two teachers taking students outside their neighborhood into a full school-day model rooted in belonging, agency, and purpose. We talk about what it means to design experiences that help students understand who they are, what they value, and how they want to show up in the world. From corporate partner experiences to student reflection practices, Amy offers a thoughtful look at how schools can move beyond achievement culture and create learning that supports whole-human development. Join us to explore how experiential learning can help students feel seen, connected, and ready for what’s next. To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org [http://pastfoundation.org] We unbox: * How Embarc began as a teacher-led effort at Harper High School in Chicago * Why experiential learning helps students build agency, identity, and belonging * How reflection turns real-world experiences into deeper learning * What schools can measure beyond traditional achievement data * How community and business partners can co-create meaningful student experiences * Practical ways educators can start with student interests, assets, and needs Resources: * Embarc Chicago [https://embarcchicago.org/] * Embarc’s LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/embarc-inc-/posts/?feedView=all] * Embarc’s Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/embarcchicago/?hl=en] * Embarc Impact Report [https://embarcchicago.org/post/read-embarcs-impact-report] * This American Life: Harper High School, Part One [https://www.thisamericanlife.org/487/harper-high-school-part-one] * UChicago Consortium on School Research: Student Attendance [https://consortium.uchicago.edu/resources/student-attendance] * Education Reimagined Learner-Centered Ecosystem Lab [https://education-reimagined.org/] Produced by NOVA [https://novapodcasting.com/]

301. Build Student Voice Through Creativity with Betsy Potash

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we’re joined by Betsy Potash, former English teacher, curriculum creator, and host of the Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast. We explore how teachers can move away from teacher-centered instruction and create classrooms where students have more voice, choice, and ownership over their learning. Betsy shares practical strategies that help make that shift feel possible, including project-based learning, podcasting, silent discussion, and hexagonal thinking. We also talk about why creative structures matter, how they build confidence and engagement, and what it looks like to design learning that feels relevant beyond school. Join us to explore fresh ways to spark agency, discussion, and deeper thinking in the classroom. To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org [http://pastfoundation.org] We unbox: * How teachers can step out of the spotlight and create more student-centered learning * Why agency, real-world context, and authentic audience increase engagement * How hexagonal thinking helps students make connections across texts, ideas, and lived experience * Why silent discussion creates space for every learner to participate and build confidence * How contemporary, multimodal approaches can make ELA more relevant and creative  Resources: * The Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast [https://pod.link/1241054855] * Toolkit for getting started with hexagonal thinking [https://sparkcreativity.kartra.com/page/hexagonalthinking] * The Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/nowsparkcreativity/] Produced by NOVA [https://novapodcasting.com/]

300. Design Learning That Sparks Confidence with Ashley Price

In this milestone 300th episode of Learning Unboxed, we celebrate with Ashley Price, Director of Student Experiences and All Things Summer and Out-of-School Programming at the PAST Foundation. Together, we explore how immersive, student-centered learning helps young people build confidence, discover new interests, and connect classroom skills to real-world challenges in meaningful ways. We also dig into what makes these experiences work: student voice and choice, transdisciplinary design, authentic audiences, and the freedom to fail forward. Ashley shares how small shifts in practice can help educators create learning spaces that feel more engaging, relevant, and joyful for students. Join us to explore how we can make school feel a little more like summer camp and a lot more like real learning. To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org [http://pastfoundation.org] We unbox: * How student voice and choice shape deeper engagement and confidence * Why real-world, transdisciplinary challenges make learning more meaningful * How authentic audiences help students grow as communicators and creators * Why failure, revision, and redesign are essential parts of learning * What educators can do to bring informal learning practices into formal classrooms Resources: * Student Experiences at PAST Foundation [https://www.pastfoundation.org/student-experiences] Produced by NOVA [https://novapodcasting.com/]

299. Reimagining Reading Through Visual Design with Hillary Summerbell

In this episode of Learning Unboxed, we’re joined by Hillary Summerbell, founder and CEO of Summerbell, a literacy technology company transforming how visual dyslexic learners experience reading. Drawing from her own struggles, Hillary shares how rethinking text layout through her positional reading arc can reduce overwhelm, improve comprehension, and build confidence. We explore how a simple shift in formatting can unlock access for millions of learners and why dyslexia is often misunderstood as a comprehension issue rather than a visual one. Hillary also walks us through the development of her technology and its potential as both a classroom tool and diagnostic support.  Join us as we rethink what reading can look like and how design can make learning more equitable for all. To learn more, visit: pastfoundation.org [http://pastfoundation.org] We unbox: * How visual dyslexia impacts reading and learning * The science and design behind positional reading arcs * Using technology to reduce visual clutter and increase comprehension * The importance of equitable literacy tools in classrooms * Reimagining education through creativity and learner-centered design Resources: * Summerbell Literacy Tools: [https://www.summerbell.com/] (Explore the reading and writing tools designed for visual dyslexic learners) * Summerbell Chrome Extension [https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/summerbell/bpokmjdjklfmgjpjpnegpigiocbchaen?pli=1] * Summerbell Research Page [https://www.summerbell.com/study] * Johns Hopkins School of Education  [https://education.jhu.edu/] Produced by NOVA [https://novapodcasting.com/]