Hill Holt Wood

And while on the subject of 14 -19 year olds (see previous post on Studio Schools) here is a really inspiring enterprise in England, Hill Holt Wood.

They call themselves a community woodland and state on their website: "Hill Holt Wood operates in the community to provide a wide range of different services, from education and training to 14-19 year olds, adult education courses in the woodland, countryside and forestry management to the provision of “green space” at our other sites for those suffering from mental health issues."

And that is just a small part of what they offer there. Check out their website to find out more.

Studio Schools

This short video by Geoff Mulgan is worth watching. It's about the Studio Schools in the UK.

They focus on addressing "the growing gap between the skills and knowledge that young people require to succeed, and those that the current education system provides. Studio Schools pioneer a bold new approach to learning which includes teaching through enterprise projects and real work."

For anyone who remembers how boring school was when it came to parrot fashion learning, this is a breath of fresh air.


And while we're on the subject of Geoff Mulgan, check out this fascinating talk over at the RSA he did recently, about his new book "The Locust and the Bee".

Green Box

This wonderful project is doing the rounds, so I feel like joining in. Called Green Box and designed by Act Romegialli Architects, it is a small camouflaged garage for a private residence.

After just looking at yet another urban project (this one is about to start construction in the centre of Copenhagen and I'm mentioning no names but it's a big one), with not a tree/nature in sight and unfortunately typical of all ego architecture..... this project seriously speaks to me.

Via Colossal.

There's No Tomorrow (peak oil, energy, growth & the future)

I was a little unsure whether to post this or not, as I felt quite depressed after watching it.... but it's an interesting video and worth watching.

So, I'll walk to the shops today, instead of taking the car and get my act together to buy that push-pull lawnmower instead of using the gas mower we inherited with the house. See, something positive came out of it.

Massive Flannel Moth Caterpillar

One of the weirdest and most wonderful caterpillars I've ever seen..... aka  Megalopygidae. Or this.

Found via The Kid Should See This.

John Legend and his Show Me Campaign

I'm a big fan of John Legend. He has started a nonprofit organization that fights poverty, called Show Me from his song of the same name.

"Believing that equal access to quality education is the civil rights issue of our time, the Show Me Campaign fights for education reform in the United States. In Africa, Show Me works with Millennium Promise to provide clean water, health care, education and other basic tools that break the cycle of poverty."

Big fan......

Via Dolorosa

A sobering column by George Monbiot about climate change.

"The problem is simply stated: the power of the fossil fuel companies is too great. Among those who seek and obtain high office are people characterised by a complete absence of empathy or scruples, who will take money or instructions from any corporation or billionaire who offers them, and then defend those interests against the current and future prospects of humanity."