Ecological Design Thinking

This summer, Springhouse staff member Sarah Merfeld, Ecological Design Lead, completed her master’s degree in Ecological Design Thinking at Schumacher College. We take professional development seriously at Springhouse; we know the only way to change culture is to keep expanding our capacities! Check out her final thesis ~ Vital Hubs for Cultural Regeneration: Three Essential Components for Redesigning Education.

Here is Sarah’s summary about her thesis: This inquiry explores the role of education in creating regenerative culture. It’s clear that as a collective we are in a state of social and ecological crisis. Our current educational system plays a vital role in maintaining the status quo and if we wish to transition from this current state to a more regenerative future, we need something different. In this exploration, I propose three essential components needed for creating schools that build regenerative culture in place: 1.) a unifying, generative myth, 2.) structures that support eco-soulcentric human development, and 3.) continuity and commitment over time and in place. To ground this exploration, I offer reflexive commentary on how an 8-year old school in rural Appalachia – Springhouse – is a living example of an educational design creating regenerative culture in place.