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

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. ............................... 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

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

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. Nature Educators Meet-ups The Nature Educator Meet-ups began as an informal gathering of educators, facilitators, and nature enthusiasts who are passionate about nurturing meaningful connections between children, adults, and the natural world. Started in April 2024 at Cubbon Park, Bengaluru, the community has grown with over 250+ nature education enthusiasts eager to forge connections and collaborate. Since our first meet-up, we have hosted and facilitated 15+ gatherings in Bangalore so far with sessions on theatre, tree and bird walks, games, storytelling, ethical dilemmas that confront us as nature educators, thinking with a design lens, to name a few! Our meet-ups were also featured in an article published in The Hindu in March 2025. The community has now grown beyond Bangalore, reaching nature education enthusiasts in Mumbai, Goa, and Chennai! These meet-ups are a space to meet and reflect, share our wonder and our challenges, and brainstorm creative ways to bring nature into our everyday life and learning. If you are interested in joining or initiating a chapter in your city or town, reach out to us at info@natureclassrooms.in Projects Search Search

Hidden Housemates Uncover the creatures and natural phenomena that often go unnoticed, right inside your home or school. These bingo sheets and the accompanying activity sheets invite you to closely observe everyday spaces, fostering an understanding of urban biodiversity and our shared environment. English Hindi Hidden Housemates (1) Kannada Hidden Housemates (2) English Hindi Kannada English Hindi Hidden Housemates (3) Kannada Note for Educators Hidden Housemates works well for both young and older audiences and is a great way to engage people in nature observation, even when outdoor spaces are not accessible. It is perfect for educators to assign as "nature homework" to explore their homes or for in-class activities within school premises. Activity Ideas You can ask learners to draw the different housemates they find, research their roles in the indoor environment, observing and noting where they like to reside, and create simple indoor ecosystem maps.

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 below. Download

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. About Us Nature Classrooms works with teachers, schools and educators to connect meaningful, age-appropriate and locally-culturally relevant nature learning with the EVS curriculum being taught in teaching-learning spaces in India. Nature Classrooms started as an initiative within Nature Conservation Foundation’ s Education and Public Engagement Programme in November 2018. Since April 2025, Nature Classrooms works in collaboration with the Youth for Conservation Action Network (YouCAN) to effectively advance our individual and collective goals for nature education and conservation. Our Vision ................. Bringing nature learning to everyday education with a hope to spark and rekindle wonder, curiosity, empathy and love for our Natural World. Our Goals 1. Introducing, designing and connecting contextual and meaningful nature learning to education, by working and collaborating with teaching-learning communities and spaces. 2. Our framework, pedagogy and a diversity of tools and resources that guides a shift from a human-centric and purely utilitarian perspective to one that emphasizes wonder, curiosity, inquiry and interconnectedness with nature. 3. Developing age-appropriate and locally-culturally relevant nature-based teaching-learning resources linked with the school curriculum. 4. Collaborative capacity-building training programmes and workshops on ecology, nature learning and conservation education with educators, practitioners and the conservation community. 5. Designing and contributing to topical research questions in nature education for practitioners in the global south. Meet The Team NC in Media

In collaboration with Azim Premji University, this study looks to understand how children in the city relate to, frame and consume ’nature’. This will generate baseline information on the nature literacy levels of urban children which will aid us in identifying areas that need addressing as part of our own interventions. We hope to explore the city through the lens of children and learn more about their lives as situated and on-going; with children framing their own narratives. Children and Nature in the City A research project to explore the city through the lens of children It is now common to speak of children in the city as being vulnerable to a ’nature-deficit disorder’; a term that has foregrounded social movements that attempt to bring children ‘back to nature’. Children in the city, in this sense, are twice removed from ’nature’-once by being spatially distant from ’nature spaces’ and then through the digital worlds that they inhabit even within the cityscape. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has further marked a pronounced shift in how the everyday is experienced-shaping our mobilities and increasing our dependence on digital technologies. For many children, the space of the school has been brought to the home and interactions with outdoor spaces have become sparse. These pronounced shifts in how the everyday is experienced could have lasting implications on the development of children’s affective attitudes towards nature. ’Nature’, however, is not only consumed through embodied experiences but through varied forms- from cultural artefacts such as toys and posters to nature documentaries. For children enrolled in schools, Environmental Studies (EVS) is another medium which presents an opportunity to be introduced to and learn more deeply about nature around them. But often, these syllabi too present a nature that is distant from them. Children are often seen to be more acquainted with. charismatic species that are ‘far away’ than those closer to home. A research project designed in collaboration with Azim Premji University, this study looks to understand how different children in the city relate to, connect with, frame and consume ’nature’. The study will generate baseline information on the nature literacy levels and connections of 10-12 year olds in the city; which will aid us in identifying areas that need addressing as part. of our own interventions at Nature Classrooms. We look to employ a range of research methods in our study to present avenues through which participants can articulate and express the relationships that they have with the non-human world. Through the study, we also try to attend to the socio-material lives of children by looking at how their mobilities and spaces have been shaped and transformed by the pandemic. We hope to explore the city through the lens of children and learn more about their lives as situated and on-going; with children framing their own narratives about their lives, neighbourhoods and communities. Team Members: Aashish Go khale Kaustubh Rau Vena Kapoor Roshni Ravi Ovee Thorat Suhel Quader Download ................................... Partner ...................................

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. Bingos We believe learning should be self-directed and fun, and Bingos are designed to do just that. Bingos encourage exploring the immediate nature around homes, neighborhoods, and schools – promoting close observation, engaging multiple senses, and making learning a delightful game for both young students and adults. Use these diverse themes of Bingos to make your nature exploration all the more exciting! Ages 5+, Adults Nature Bingo Step into the amazing world of local nature with our fun "Nature Bingo" activity! From insects on the wall, to flowers, fruits, and flying birds around you, use all your senses to explore the nature around you and say BINGO! DOWNLOAD (ENGLISH) DOWNLOAD (KANNADA) Hidden Housemates Nature isn't confined to forests, neighborhood parks, and home gardens—they are all around us, even within our own four walls! Explore the fascinating miniature ecosystems that share your immediate surroundings. Explore Seasonal Bingo Seasons bring about remarkable transformations in the natural world. Use these season-wise themed bingos to discover the unique ecological responses that define every season. Explore Lotus Bingo A Bingo designed to explore the world of wetlands in Kashmir, specifically in the context of the Lotus plant that is an integral part of Kashmir's culture and cuisine. DOWNLOAD (ENGLISH) Paddy Bingo Paddy fields are rich, dynamic ecosystems that hold stories of soil, water, farmers, insects, and seasonal rhythms. This bingo is designed for paddy fields of the Western ghats of Karnataka to guide playful, sharp observation—helping children and adults notice the familiar and the hidden, and connect with the landscape in meaningful ways. DOWNLOAD (ENGLISH) DOWNLOAD (KANNADA) Note for Educators Suggested Instructions for use: Distribute the Nature Bingo sheets and explain the goal- to find at least three items in a row or a column (or all items, for a longer activity!) in their immediate surroundings. To add a layer of exploration, encourage students to use all their senses while exploring and looking for the items on the bingo. Once they find three in a row/column, they can shout out 'BINGO!' This can be a great individual exploration or a fun group challenge, fostering observation skills, collaboration, and a connection to their local environment. Questions to Explore: What was easy to find? What was a challenge? What new things did they notice? What did they find that was not on the Bingo? Projects Search Search

Behaviour Tales This resource delves into the amazing world of animal hygiene exploring how animals - from birds preening their feathers to mammals licking their fur and insects maintaining their exoskeletons - employ unique strategies to stay clean.This resource can be effectively integrated into science lessons focusing on animal adaptations or health and hygiene units. The activity around it can be adapted to increasing or decreasing complexity for older or younger students, respectively. Animal Grooming Charts English Hindi Kannada Note for Educators Begin by asking students how and why they keep themselves clean. Introduce the concept that animals also groom themselves using different organs and behaviours that we do not have or use! Use the poster to discuss specific examples, and explore other animal grooming behaviours students might have observed of domestic animals around them. This resource is a direct example of how local nature and ecology can be incorporated into our EVS textbook chapters. Questions to Explore Why do animals need to keep clean? How do their methods compare to ours? Students can be encouraged to observe pets or local birds for grooming behaviors, draw different animals grooming, roleplay/enact different grooming behaviours, or even research other unique animal cleaning habits (e.g., ants grooming each other, fish cleaning stations).

Seasonal Bingo Seasons bring about remarkable transformations in the natural world, influencing how plants and animals adapt and thrive. The Seasons Bingos are a delightful and engaging way to explore these ever-dynamic changes right in your surroundings. Each bingo sheet guides you to discover the unique ecological responses that define every season. English Rain Bingo KANNADA Spring Bingo English Kannada Winter Bingo English Kannada English Spring Bingo - For Kashmir English Kannada Summer Bingo Note for Educators This activity is a fun way to encourage repeated observation of the same environment throughout the year, helping students notice how plants, animals, and their associations respond to seasonal shifts. Use the below observation sheet to take your observations a step further, and log and monitor seasonal changes in the plants and trees around you. Visit www.seasonwatch.in to explore resources, activities and data on some of the most common and widespread trees around you! Questions to Explore What new things did they notice about the season? Why do you think these changes occur in relation to the season? Why do mushrooms pop up after rain? What causes the 'petrichor' smell? Why is there a large blooming of flowers and new leaves during spring? Why do birds like Black Kites circle overhead during hot days? Why does the sun set early during winter?

Kashmiri Alphabet Chart Walk into any bookstore and you’ll find alphabet charts filled with giraffes, penguins, and macaws. But what about all of nature that is right around us? Use this alphabet chart to explore Kashmir’s landscape and language through this fun twist on the regular A to Z chart! It can also be used as an anchor chart to base various other activities on. To find other small fun activities, such as puzzles, flip the chart! Download Kashmiri Alphabet Chart Colouring Sheets Download Alphabet Chart Cut-Outs Download Activity Ideas Download