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

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
• Society of Child Entrepreneurs on Facebook
• Sparks to Stars: The Story of Astra & Zeke
• Acton Children’s Business Fair
• Kansas Leadership Center
• Search Institute’s Developmental Assets

Produced by NOVA

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

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
• Embarc’s LinkedIn
• Embarc’s Instagram
• Embarc Impact Report
• This American Life: Harper High School, Part One
• UChicago Consortium on School Research: Student Attendance
• Education Reimagined Learner-Centered Ecosystem Lab

Produced by NOVA

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

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
• Toolkit for getting started with hexagonal thinking
• The Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast Instagram

Produced by NOVA