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At Nature Classrooms, we run collaborative projects using multiple ways of engagement. These include the Suttha Muttha project with schools and teachers in Silvepura Village, Bangalore to enhance stories of local ecology among school communities. We also engage with schools and organisations to develop contextual resources based on the EVS curriculum. Additionally, we have been involved in a collaborative research project that explores how nature features in the social life of urban children. Outreach and Public Engagement Our outreach and public engagement initiatives aim to take Nature Classrooms’ work and approach to the wider community of educators and nature educators, and to platform and enable for dialogue, collaboration, and sharing experiences and co-learning opportunities. By facilitating meet-ups, talks, workshops, conferences and creative collaborations, we connect with students, teachers, nature educators, nature enthusiasts, and the wider public to exchange ideas, share experiences, and imagine new ways for nature to be part of everyday life and learning. Communities of Practice An online series, in collaboration with Wipro Foundation, exploring the different topics and themes relevant to nature learning. Read More Nature Educators Meet-ups The Nature Educator Meet-ups is a growing community of nature educators and nature enthusiasts who connect, reflect, and explore creative ways to bring nature learning into everyday life. What began as an informal gathering in Bengaluru has now expanded to Mumbai, Goa, and Chennai, with 250+ members and 15+ sessions since 2024. Read More Projects Search Search

Through our Nature Learning Pedagogy, we aim to provide opportunities for teachers and learners to develop wonder and connection to nature. Our approach to Nature Learning and resource creation is shaped by this pedagogy. It is a collaborative approach based on classroom observations and conversations with teachers and experienced educators. We envision Nature Learning to be contextual, culturally relevant, age-appropriate, learner-centric, experiential, inquiry-based, and accessible. Blog More Our Approach In today’s changing world, learners often view nature as unfamiliar and distant from their lives. Informed by research and our experiences of engaging with teachers, educators, and children from different contexts and geographies, we have developed a Nature Learning Framework and Pedagogy. This approach aims to provide opportunities for learners to develop a deeper sense of wonder, love, and a lasting connection with nature, the natural world. This dynamic and collaborative approach deeply informs our nature learning and resource creation process. It is based on observations and reflections from classrooms, conversations with teachers, understanding the needs of teachers and students, and correlating them with the school curriculum. Nature Classrooms Pedagogy Aims to provide a dynamic, inclusive, and collaborative approach to planning nature learning engagements and resources, to develop wonder, love, and a physical and emotional connection to nature. DOWNLOAD Nature Learning Framework Guides educators in selecting, designing, and developing age-appropriate resources and session plans for nature learning. Download NATURE LEARNING CHECKLIST To begin implementing Nature Learning Pedagogy in your classroom, you can download our Pedagogy in the form of an action-oriented checklist here: English Kannada Hindi For a more elaborate version of the checklist (with explanations, examples, and more questions for consideration), click here: Hindi English Kannada Recommended Readings Looking for articles and opinion pieces on nature education and nature learning pedagogies? Find a curated list of readings here . Search

At Nature Classrooms, we run collaborative projects using multiple ways of engagement. These include the Suttha Muttha project with schools and teachers in Silvepura Village, Bangalore to enhance stories of local ecology among school communities. We also engage with schools and organisations to develop contextual resources based on the EVS curriculum. Additionally, we have been involved in a collaborative research project that explores how nature features in the social life of urban children. Natural History Step into the fascinating world of the creatures and plants right outside your door. Our "Natural History Series" offers a collection of simple, beautifully illustrated stories about the common but often overlooked residents of our local ecosystems. From mud and leaf architects to friendships and deception, these resources are designed to spark curiosity, deepen connections with nature, and provide educators and learners with accessible, engaging tools to explore and learn about the natural world around them. Ages 6+, Adults Bats: Flying Mammals Bats are some of the most amazing flying mammals, but also the most misunderstood creatures sharing space with us. Use this resource to learn, teach and start the conversation around these curious, upside-down marvels! DOWNLOAD (ENGLISH) DOWNLOAD (KANNADA) Termites and Termite Mounds Termites are extraordinary engineers of the natural world. Our Termite resource introduces you to these tiny architects and their magnificent homes, the termitariums. Use this teaching-learning resource to introduce children and adults to the fascinating world of termites and their homes, or as an anchor chart. Find a termite mound and learn around it! DOWNLOAD (ENGLISH) DOWNLOAD (KANNADA) DOWNLOAD (HINDI) Fig Tree and Fig Wasp We are incredibly lucky to have so many different types of Fig Trees growing all around us. As unique as the fig itself, are the Fig Wasps – very tiny flying insects, yet essential for the tree’s very existence. Our "Fig Tree and Fig Wasp" story cards invite you to listen carefully to the tale of this extraordinary friendship. Use this teaching-learning resource to introduce children and adults to the fascinating world of Fig Trees and Fig Wasps- indoors or outdoors, near or under a Fig tree. DOWNLOAD Projects Search Search

At Nature Classrooms, we work towards integrating elements of Nature Learning with the existing Environmental Studies curriculum of primary schools in India. We engage in capacity building for educators, develop age appropriate and contextual nature learning resources, and research that contributes towards making nature education meaningful for teachers and learners. Nature Classrooms is an initiative under the Education and Public Engagement Programme at the Nature Conservation Foundation. What We Do We see nature as the ideal learning space, or classroom, and hope to blur the distinctions between the two - which inspired the name “Nature Classrooms" . We symbolise this in our logo by depicting an ant that is curious and excited about exploring the natural world beyond classroom boundaries. This ubiquitous ant is also a reminder of how interspersed nature and nature learning is in our lives. Nature Classrooms is an independent initiative in collaboration with the Trust for Environmental Education (TREE ) to effectively advance our individual and collective goals for nature education and conservation. Resource Creation Browse through our growing collection of nature learning resources aimed at integrating age-appropriate and locally-contextually-culturally relevant nature learning in teaching-learning spaces. Read More Capacity Building and Training Workshops We conduct immersive, context-driven workshops empowering teachers and educators to integrate nature learning into diverse teaching-learning spaces. Read More Research Through our research projects, we address questions that arise from engaging with Nature Learning and contribute towards meaningful education practices in the Global South. Read More Outreach and Public Engagement Through our outreach initiatives, we foster dialogue, collaboration, and co-learning. Read More ....................... Partners ....................... Mr. Balkrishna Isvaran The Serenity Trust Integrated Electric Company Pvt. Ltd. ....................... Collaborators ....................... To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Search

Words Live Nature What's happening this week, on our adventure Creatures in Our Schools The school is housed in a small, seemingly nondescript building, offset from the Hesarghatta main road. A lone Singapore Cherry (Muntingia calabura) tree marks one corner of the school. ‘Look, there goes a Haavu Rani!’, one of the teachers casually remarked as she walked into the school. Haavu Rani is Kannada for Skink, it translates to ‘Snake Queen’. More A Bugs Life Is that little piece of paint from the wall moving? Who cleans up the crumbs from my kitchen while I’m asleep at night? Who lives in that little white tent in the corner of the wall? More

The Nature Education Assessment Framework (NEAF) is being developed by Tanya Rele of Nature Classrooms, with the support of the Inlaks Ravi Sankaran Small Grants Programme as an open-source tool to assess the effectiveness of nature education programmes and other nature learning initiatives. Nature Education Assessment Framework (NEAF) Why do we need nature education, and how do we know whether it is shaping how learners and educators feel, think, and act in relation to the natural world? Or are our programmes becoming just another intervention within an already crowded and stretched education system? These questions surfaced repeatedly in our conversations at Nature Classrooms, prompting us to pause and reflect on whether nature education is truly reaching and making the difference we hope for. As we explored them, it became clear that the challenge was not a lack of interest in assessment, but the lack of approaches that feel meaningful, practical, and grounded in everyday contexts. While several tools exist, many are shaped by contexts from the Global North that do not fully align with socio-ecological realities in India. Conversations with practitioners across regions further highlighted that, although assessments are valued, existing approaches often feel tedious and disconnected from on-ground practice. About the Nature Education Assessment Framework (NEAF) The Nature Education Assessment Framework (NEAF) is a foundational, easy-to-use, open-access toolkit developed by Nature Classrooms to help nature educators assess the effectiveness of their programmes and gain insights into how learners connect with the natural world. NEAF captures shifts in knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours, the three key dimensions of how learners engage with and relate to nature. Shaped and trialled through collaborations with educators from different geographies in India, NEAF offers a set of adaptable qualitative and quantitative tools for nature education practitioners who work with students, as well as those who engage with teachers and educators. The framework also provides tools for practitioners to assess their own approach and practices. These tools are not intended to ‘test’ learners, but instead to spark reflection and dialogue. They encourage close observation and listening not only to what is said, written, or drawn, but also to what is felt and noticed. The Tools in NEAF Each tool includes guidelines on when and how to use it, along with suggestions for interpreting and reflecting on the insights that emerge. The goal is not standardisation or fixed outcomes, but a deeper understanding of learners and their relationship with the natural world. Throughout NEAF, analysis involves identifying patterns, trends, gaps, and stories. NEAF - A living Framework At its core, NEAF is a living framework designed not only to assess but also to support nature education programmes. It provides a structured yet simple approach to assessment while leaving room for adaptation, co-creation, and ongoing evolution. Meant to evolve with practice, NEAF grows through thoughtful refinement and remains guided by how learners experience nature and recognising the many ways in which nature learning unfolds. Team Tanaya Rele (Lead - Research and Development of NEAF) Vena Kapoor & Ovee Thorat (Ideation, Mentorship & Feedback) Vaibhavi Bhat H S & Krishna Ghediya (Interns) Shivangi Thakkar (Design) You can download the framework and access the videos below. Day 1 Download - Full Version Download - Short Version Day 2

Nature Classrooms is an initiative of the Nature Conservation Foundation, under the Education and Public Engagement Program. We re-imagine the experience of Environmental Studies (EVS) to seamlessly include Nature Learning in primary schools across India. Get introduced to our team and collaborators and read more about our vision on this page. Team .............................. ............................. Vena Kapoor Lead & Senior Scientist I am a nature educator and conservation practitioner with over 23 years of research and in-practice experience in the conservation sector. I founded Nature Classrooms in late 2018 (started as an initiative of NCF's EPE Programme ) to design age-appropriate, locally-culturally relevant nature learning modules, conduct immersive training workshops to connect teachers and educators to the natural world, and to guide them to integrate nature learning as part of everyday school curricula. I love integrating my passion for insects, spiders, and community engagement to rekindle and reimagine nature learning in India. My earlier work stints were with the CIKS , CCI UK , and the Nature Conservation Foundation in various Institutional and Programme roles. I have an MPhil in Conservation Leadership from the University of Cambridge, UK and a Masters in Ecology from the University of Pondicherry, India. My publications can be accessed here and here . Priyanka Prakash Senior Manager (Curriculum Development, Research, Training) With a background in journalism, I soon found myself drawn toward the education space. I began my journey by exploring how media can be integrated into learning programs for children. This led me to nature education, and for the past three years, I have been actively working with children and schools to raise awareness about our ocean with a focus on waste management and sustainability. I then pursued my Master's in Environment Studies (Conservation Practices) from Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment - ATREE, Bengaluru. As a part of my Master's internship requirement, I joined Nature Classrooms as an intern in 2023. Since then I have been developing a Nature-based Social-Emotional Learning Framework , with an intent to integrate an affective approach to nature education. At Nature Classrooms I hope to continue contributing to the goals and initiatives of the program to make nature learning a meaningful and integral part of classrooms. Tanaya Rele Manager (Research, Resources, Training) I completed my Master’s in Wildlife Conservation Action from BVIEER, where my thesis focused on visitor perceptions of the ecological and aesthetic aspects of urban parks in Mumbai using visitor-employed photography. This experience deepened my interest in understanding how people connect with nature and how nature learning can play an important role in building these connections. Today, this interest continues to shape my work at Nature Classrooms. I’m currently designing the Nature Education Assessment Framework (NEAF) — a collaborative, open-source toolkit to assess the effectiveness of nature education programmes in India. Alongside NEAF, I also contribute to developing nature learning resources and support other ongoing work. I hope to continue learning and contribute towards Nature Classrooms’ efforts to make nature learning more accessible within classroom spaces. Aditi Rao Manager (Outreach, Resources, Training) Growing up in a small village in the Western Ghats, my childhood was shaped by curious experiments. Like feeding ants to Drosera and watching hornbills soar above our home. Coexistence and sustainability weren’t concepts we learned, but ways we lived. That early wonder led me to the Living with Snakes outreach during my undergrad, and later to working with children through Chinnara Vana Darshana and Kaanu, an online nature course I ran during the pandemic. I went on to complete a Master’s in Wildlife Conservation Action, where for my thesis, I explored traditional ecological knowledge of tubers among the Kunbi community and the threats it is facing. Now at Nature Classrooms, I'm working to bring together my love for nature, natural history, learning, and community to help teachers and educators be more curious and empathetic towards the world around them. Aswathi Asokan Manager (Curriculum Development, Resources, Training) Growing up in an urban city, I was fortunate to have passionate nature enthusiasts introduce me to the birds, insects, and trees around me. As a Chennai girl, I eventually dove deep into studying our magical coastal landscape and biodiversity, realizing these stories of shores, tides, spiders, and trees needed to be shared. From that point on, I've been sure about wanting to actively work towards connecting young people with the natural world. While creating nature and climate education resources, running programs, and co-authoring two books, I completed my Master's in Wildlife Conservation Action from BVIEER, Pune, affirming my commitment to bringing the wild to more people. Now, I'm involved in organizing fellowships for educators across India, developing nature education resources and curricula, and building nature-based ecology curriculum for schools. Shivangi Thakkar Associate (Outreach, Design, Communications) I have always felt deeply connected to the natural world and often turn to art and poetry to make sense of that relationship. Growing up between the forests of Mount Abu and the coastal and arid landscapes of Gujarat shaped my curiosity about how humans relate to nature — how we use it, shape it, and perceive it. This curiosity has taken me from Gujarat’s coasts to seagrass meadows in the Andamans, exploring how communities interact with the ecosystems that surround them. I hold a master’s degree in Environmental Studies (Conservation Practice) from ATREE, and previously worked with Dakshin Endeavours as a science communicator, helping children experience India’s diverse ecosystems, cultures, and communities through stories, field-based learning, and creative engagement. At Nature Classrooms, I bring together environmental learning, art, and design through nature learning modules and creative contributions to ongoing projects. I am drawn to slow, observation-based practices and believe art helps us notice more closely, reflect more deeply, and build lasting relationships with the natural world. Pranav Niyogi Research Assistant I am a nature educator and conservation practitioner with a keen interest in human-wildlife coexistence, snake ecology, and community outreach. Growing up between Bengaluru and my grandparents’ village near Kaggalipura sparked my curiosity about wildlife and people’s relationships with it. I hold a postgraduate diploma in marketing and communications from Jagdish Sheth School of Management and work at the intersection of conservation, education, and communication. I have volunteered with the Karnataka Forest Department, Sadhana Forest, and other organisations contributing to wildlife awareness, conflict mitigation, and reforestation initiatives while engaging communities in conversations around coexistence. At Nature Classrooms I am working closely with the team and our long term collaborators at the Fig Tree Learning Centre (FTLC) to document, curate and digitise over two decades of nature-based teaching-learning resources and lesson plans developed through practice by FTLC’s educators and practitioners. Gousia Taj My love for nature comes from simply spending time observing the world around me. I enjoy watching birds fly, build nests, and chatter among themselves, and I am equally fascinated by the tiny lives of insects going about their day. Alongside this, I have always found joy in getting lost in storybooks and the many worlds they open up. At Nature Classrooms, I work on planning and facilitating nature learning sessions for children in Grades 2 to 5 in three government schools located in peri urban Bengaluru. I also contribute to ideating, planning, and developing educational resources. Education Practitioner ............................... Alumni ................. Aashish Gokhale Mythreyi K Roshni Ravi Adira Andlay Labonie Roy Ovee Thorat Mehreen Khaleel Interns ............................. ................................ Nayantara Siruguri (2022) Anvita DJ (2021) Vaibhavi Bhat (2025) Nathania Ria Prince (2025) Adya V. Reddy (2020, 2021) Aarushi Susheel (2020) Apara Behar (2019) ......................... .......................... Illustrators Adira Andlay Labonie Roy Ravi Jambhekar Ari Abraham Aditi Monde Karunya Baskar Illustrations and Visual Design by Labonie Roy Chayant Gonsalves Rupsy Khurana Anagha S (2026) Back Blog

Is that little piece of paint from the wall moving? Who cleans up the crumbs from my kitchen while I’m asleep at night? Who lives in that little white tent in the corner of the wall?

If you are an educator looking to engage with articles and opinion pieces on nature education and pedagogy, a student looking to explore discourses in nature education, or just curious about these things - this page lists essential readings available online. Many of these articles and essays have inspired and influenced discussions within Nature Classrooms, and we hope to share this inspiration with many more. Recommended Readings If you are an educator looking to engage with articles and opinion pieces on nature education and pedagogy, a student looking to explore discourses in nature education, or just curious about these things - here's a list of essential readings available online. Many of these articles and essays have inspired and influenced discussions within Nature Classrooms, and we hope to share this inspiration with many more. Look, Don’t Touch by David Sobel Place-based learning of science: Experiences in integration by Arun, Poornima and Nishant (2021) A Pedagogy for Ecology by Ann Pelo The Ecosystem of Learning by Yuvan Aves Connecting Learning to the Natural World by Nature Classrooms Towards a Curriculum for ‘Belonging’ by Yuvan Aves Leave No Child Inside by Richard Louv The exploration of Biology through Art: some reflections from the classroom by Kaustubh Rau (2018, January), in iwonder, 4, 63 — 71 Structure and Spontaneity: A fine balancing act by Radha Gopalan Pedagogy of 'dirty' hands : reflections from an urban terrace farm by Dutta, Deborah (2019), in iwonder, pp. 72-81. Back Blog

An exploration of the integration of movement and nature education, Nature Moves is an attempt to diversify nature education resources by creating and documenting movement-based nature learning resources inspired by fascinating movements in nature, and the performing arts. We have created a resource bank of movement-based activities that educators can choose from in their nature education and environmental studies classes. Nature Moves ............................................ An exploration of the integration of movement and nature education, Nature Moves is an attempt to diversify nature education resources by creating and documenting movement-based nature learning resources inspired by fascinating movements in nature, and the performing arts. With a little deep observation of our natural surroundings, we'll realise that nature is so much more than colours, sights, and words. Nature Moves is a resource bank of movement-based activities that educators can choose from in their nature education and environmental studies classes. Take these ideas and activities to your classroom to explore how nature moves, and watch your space transform! Nature Moves Resource Bank DOWNLOAD Nature Movements Bingo DOWNLOAD

There's Nothing There: Game Join Arali and her Amma on their journey from school to their home and help them spot hidden and not-so-hidden plants, animals, insects, birds and everything that you can through this game! This game is based on 'There's Nothing There' , our bilingual children's storybook. We found our inspiration for this book through conversations and interactions during our collaborative Suttha Muttha project with the Fig Tree Learning Center and the younglings and teachers of Tarabanahalli Govt. School, situated in the rapidly changing landscapes of the peri-urban outskirts of Bangalore city. Authors: Roshni Ravi, Jane Sahi, Karunya Bhaskar Design and Illustration : Karunya Bhaskar Game Design : Kruthi Raj Supported by : The Bangalore Sustainability Forum In Collaboration with : The Fig Tree Learning Center Translation Support (Kannada) : Anu Mothi, Maadhyama Aneka Pvt. Ltd Translation Support (Hindi) : Nidhi Pal Here are the steps to download and play: 1. Download the folder in your computer by clicking on the button below: 2. Once downloaded, unzip the folder , open the folder: click on the file named Book_Game_Prototype.exe 3. This file will open the game. DOWNLOAD

An exploration of the integration of movement and nature education, Nature Moves is an attempt to diversify nature education resources by creating and documenting movement-based nature learning resources inspired by fascinating movements in nature, and the performing arts. We have created a resource bank of movement-based activities that educators can choose from in their nature education and environmental studies classes. Nature Strokes ............................................ Nature has always been our greatest muse. From the earliest forms of communication, we've looked to the natural world for inspiration- a world rich in color, pattern, texture, design, movement, and more. The Nature Strokes module is an Art and Nature handbook designed to help you explore this timeless connection through hands-on, fun, and exploratory activities! This working module is filled with activities, resources, and ideas that use art as a vibrant medium for learning about nature and, in turn, learning about art through nature. It serves as a guide for educators to help learners of all ages see the artistic value in everything around them, adding a new dimension to how we perceive and appreciate the world. Look out for updates from us as we release more units of this module in various themes!