Pseads Institute

Pseads (“seeds”) is an educational nonprofit and design institute dedicated to reimagining learning as a dynamic, creative, and deeply human process. 

We partner with educators, students, and communities to revitalize classrooms and spaces for learning—bringing imagination, connection, and purpose back to the heart of education. Grounded in more than 20 years of research and practice, our work builds on what already works while opening new pathways for students to thrive – using reflective writing and poetry, science, and story to transform how young people see themselves as learners.

We design and facilitate:

• Creative learning programs in K-8 classrooms
• College courses exploring purpose, narrative, and connection
• Workshops that support and inspire educators
• The Lambert Light Youth Fellowship for emerging leaders
• Intergenerational projects that bridge generations
• Community events celebrating learning and community

New Things Are Blooming!

The Pseads Lambert Light Fellowship
Transforming Potential Into Purpose

The Pseads Lambert Light Fellowship is a transformative 12-month journey in creativity, leadership, and meaningful impact for young people ages 12-24. Launched in 2025 with an inaugural cohort of 17 young women, the fellowship empowers participants to explore their passions, develop vital skills, and lead original projects that spark curiosity, learning, connection, and joy. It honors the wisdom and ingenuity of young people and opens new pathways for their ideas to take root, resonate, and make a lasting impact. Meet the Fellows.

Join Pseads in Cultivating and Celebrating Young Voices

In 2020, five Pseads poets were invited to share poems as part of TEDxReImagineScience. The video poems were outside of the typical TED Talk format, but TED organizers loved the content and added a compilation to their main site. This was one of the first youth submissions of this kind added to the TED site.

Experiencing these visions and voices helped extend the Blue Skies, Bright Star Science and Poetry Project inspire the Hope on the Rize narrative and filmmaking initiative. Hope on the Rize includes emphasis on creating new narratives that inspire greater curiosity about science, the Earth, and the universe, and reflections that bring imagination and innovation together toward a healthier planet.

Hope on the Rize 2026

In 2025, Hope on the Rize narrative and filmmaking project soared to new heights. An extraordinary 1,270 student films came to life—our most ever. But it’s not just the number that moved us—it’s the luminous quality of the stories, the depth of the reflection, and the unmistakable heart behind every frame. These young creators dared to speak with heart, dream boldly, and craft visions of a more beautiful, just, and connected world. In every film, we glimpsed the quiet revolution of hope taking root. 2026 films and celebrations coming in May.

This rise in participation and artistic excellence is a direct reflection of the growing momentum behind Pseads’ mission—where learning meets purpose, and education becomes an act of healing and transformation.

We are honored to share that our Mother Tree Council has expanded, bringing in even more visionary leaders from across the fields of education, ecology, arts, media, and science. Each council member will carefully selected this year’s films of “High Distinction"—and we can’t wait to share them with you. 

Learn More About Pseads

Pseads programs leverage the humanizing power of creativity, reflective writing and poetry, and science and narrative, weaving in concepts tied to key grade-level curriculum to enhance and elevate the overall learning experience. Over the last decade, our work has uplifted learners and educators by opening up new and deeper ways to connect to: What they are learning; Who they are; How to take meaningful action in their classroom, community, and beyond.

Follow Pseads for Prompts, Poems, and Stories!