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PEDAGOGY & PROGRAM DESIGN

OUR LEARNING MODEL

Participating in The Soil Project, seeds will live together in a boarding school and move regularly here and there to learn related subjects with our distinguished facilitators/trainers/educators and partners organizations, communities and companies all over the world. In addition, in such democracy education environment, The Soil Project provides huge support for self-directed and self-organized community. While TSP focuses on building its Seeds (students) basing on essential foundations and strong inner power with self-understanding by various methods in a kindness community, seeds will have a wide range of opportunities to self-designed their own educational experiences or travel to explore and learn from the outside world during their time at TSP. 

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Learning Approaches

Community-based (Peer-to-peer learning): 

In the vibrant and inclusive learning community of The Soil Project, Seeds learn as much from each other as they do from facilitators. The role of traditional “teachers” dissolves, creating space for mutual teaching and learning. The learning community extends beyond The Soil Project, Seeds not only share their knowledge, skills, and passions with peers, but also also learning from family, friends, and mentors outside the program. This interconnected web of learning fosters a culture of collaboration, curiosity, empowerment, and  growth.

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Context-based & Experimental Learning:

Forget textbooks; the world is the classroom at The Soil Project. The Soil Project believes education is most meaningful when rooted in real-life contexts. Seeds engage in travel-based learning, exploring different regions and cultures while collaborating with partner schools, communities, organizations, and businesses. This approach shifts the focus from content-based education, as seen in traditional schools, to context-based education, where Seeds learn by doing, experimenting, and reflecting on real-world challenges.

 

Therefore, the learning here is rooted in real-world experiences and challenges. By doing so, Seeds transform theory into action, gaining insights that traditional classrooms simply cannot provide.

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Internet-Enhanced Learning: Expanding Horizons Through Technology:

The Internet is a gateway to limitless knowledge and connections. Seeds leverage online courses, MOOCs, eBooks, videos, and documentaries to enhance their learning. With access to diverse, international communities of learners and professionals, Seeds gain perspectives that transcend borders and industries. The Soil Project also explores cutting-edge technologies like Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and 3D printing to enrich the Seeds’ educational experiences, merging digital tools with hands-on learning, amplifies their educational experience, preparing them for the future.

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4Hs Education:

Unlike traditional education systems that prioritize intellectual growth (Head Education) for career preparation, The Soil Project nurtures holistic development through:

  • Head Education: Intellectual and professional skills development through knowledge, critical thinking, and innovation.

  • Hands Education: Engaging in practical, hands-on activities like cooking, farming, and even building homes to foster resourcefulness and self-reliance.

  • Heart Education: Cultivating compassion, emotional intelligence, and empathy through mindfulness practices, trauma healing, storytelling, and social engagement.

  • Heal the World: Empowering Seeds to channel their learning into transformative social and environmental contributions, aligning their entrepreneurial spirit with the vision of a regenerative, well-being society.

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Project-based or Inquiry-based:

Learning at The Soil Project is purposeful and interconnected. Instead of fragmented, unrelated subjects, Seeds collaborate in teams to identify real-world problems, designing innovative solutions, and implementing  projects using interdisciplinary approaches. This practical, inquiry-driven methodology integrates diverse fields of knowledge fosters problem-solving skills, creativity, critical thinking, collaboration and equips Seeds with the skills to tackle complex, real-world challenges.​

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The Block Plan:Focus on One Thing at a Time

​Unlike the multitasking demands of traditional education, The Soil Project adopts a block plan where Seeds focus on one subject or activity at a time. This allows for deeper engagement, reflection, and mastery, aligning with the natural rhythms of the human mind.

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Mindfulness-based Practices: Learning with Awareness

Mindfulness lies at the heart of The Soil Project. Seeds practice mindfulness daily, whether working, studying, eating, or listening. This cultivation of awareness fosters self-understanding, emotional resilience, clarity, focus, and intentionality in everything they do.

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Sharing Education (Inspired by the Sharing Economy)

Education at The Soil Project is a collaborative endeavor. Courses are co-created with specialized individuals, organizations, and partners, who bring their expertise and practical experience to the Seeds. This sharing approach ensures that Seeds benefit from practical, real-world experiences shared by those deeply engaged in the field. This collective approach creates rich, diverse learning opportunities, where Seeds exposed from a wide range of perspectives and expertise.

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At The Soil Project, education isn’t about grades or exams; it’s about growth, discovery, and transformation. It’s a bold vision for the future — one where Seeds learn to nurture themselves, their communities, and the planet.

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​If you are a seed

If you are the seed, just waking to grow,

I’ll be the soil, soft and slow.

With every step, I’ll lie below,

Silent, steady, gentle, and low.

 

The soil never asks what you should be,

Never minds if you grow differently.

It doesn’t compare tall trees to small,

Or count the leaves or heights at all.

 

Whether you rise as a slender blade,

Or stretch wide to cast the shade,

The soil stays simple, true, and fair,

Holding no pride in what you bear.

 

It seeks no riches, no gain or praise,

No gold or silver in its days.

It only hopes to play its part—

To nurture you with a quiet heart.

 

The soil is a humble, faithful ground,

Where roots find peace, where life is found.

Like you and me, in trust we grow,

On this shared path, needing nothing more.

Program Design

The Soil Project is a self-directed education, giving a semi-structure program. In particular, parts of the program will be built by the project organizing team and parts will be created by each person's personal experience. The structure of the program will take place as follows for each 6-12 months module:

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Part 1: Structured Curriculum (Designed curriculum): 

While each Seed has the freedom to guide their own learning, the foundation of the program is built on structured learning experiences designed by the organizing team and the community. These thoughtfully designed modules ensure that each Seed is exposed to essential concepts, tools, and experiences, grounded in the values of regeneration, self-awareness, entrepreneurial spirit and community collaboration to create impact and reimagine the world we live in.

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Part 2: Self-Design Learning Journey

The heart of The Soil Project lies in self-directed learning. This is where the magic happens.  Seeds are encouraged to take the lead in designing their own educational paths. Whether through personal travel, internships, hands-on projects, or collaborations, each Seed has the freedom to shape their experience according to their unique needs, passions, and aspirations. Whether staying on campus, at home, or on the move, every experience becomes an opportunity for growth. This part is about applying what they’ve learned and diving deeper into their own path of growth, transformation, and exploration.

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Part 3: Reflection and Sharing

After their self-directed journey, Seeds return to The Soil Project to reflect on their experiences, share their insights, and teach others what they’ve learned. Through this process, they strengthen their knowledge and skills while contributing to the collective wisdom of the community. It’s about passing on the torch and growing together.​

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More than just education,

it is an International, Youth-Led Movement for Change

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​The Soil Project is more than an educational program; it’s a youth-led movement. The heart of the program is to create a space for learners to explore and understand themselves while preparing them to become changemakers — individuals who are working together to explore, rethink, and reshape the future by actively contributing to build a well-being society and a regenerative future.

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Our framework is built around the belief that education must empower individuals to know who they are and take action for a more beautiful world. With this in mind, The Soil Project focuses on the following key areas:​

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  1. Self-Understanding:
    Activities and experiences that guide learners in exploring their inner selves and understanding their place in the world.
     

  2. System Change & Rethinking Development: Challenging traditional concepts of progress and development while embracing more holistic ways of thinking about the world - alternatives that prioritize regeneration and well-being of people and the planet
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  3. Nurturing Entrepreneurship: Encouraging the entrepreneurial spirit to create real, positive change in the world.
     

  4. Regeneration: Engaging with concepts and practices that contribute to the regeneration of both the planet and society, create equity, and ensure future generations thrive.​​

4 Key Modules Across  The World: 
A Holistic Learning Experience

 

The Soil Project unfolds through four core modules, each designed will take place across various locations all over the world, providing learners with diverse cultural contexts and real-world experiences, ensuring they are well-equipped with experience in different cultures and approaches.

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  1. Nourishment:
    Exploring how to understand ourselves and how to nourish the body, mind, and soul.

  2. Regeneration:
    Focusing on environmental regeneration, this module dives into soil health, water, conservation, climate change action, and ecological restoration. Learning to heal and regenerate not only the environment, but also the community, culture, society, and personal well-being.
    It also teaches how to live with self-reliance, sufficiency and sustainability guided by the principles of the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy.

  3. New Stories for the Future World:
    Challenging learners to rewrite the narratives of progress, development, and success for a regenerative, fairer future.

  4. Entrepreneurship & Alivelihood: Fostering entrepreneurial spirit and meaningful livelihood practices that create impactful change.

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The Soil Project doesn’t lock you into a rigid curriculum. Instead, it adapts to the resources and needs of the learners, allowing for a more flexible and personalized educational journey. This ensures that the learning process is always relevant, dynamic, and in tune with the evolving needs of the global community.

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The expected program of study and estimated cost is here:

Curriculum

Credentials

Reimagining Credentials, Celebrating Individual Journeys

At The Soil Project, we believe education is about showcasing who you truly are, not just earning a piece of paper. Instead of conventional degrees, our Seeds build their own portfolios, blogs, or personal websites to document their unique learning journeys. These platforms capture their projects, interests, skills, and knowledge, as well as feedback from collaborators and mentors. Through these vibrant portfolios, Seeds present themselves authentically, offering a dynamic and realistic picture of their growth and potential, real-world representation of who they are and what they stand for.

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We challenge the notion that a standardized graduation certificate — one shared by hundreds of others — cannot truly capture the essence of an individual. Instead, a thoughtfully curated portfolio tells your story in a way that is visual, practical, alive, meaningful and deeply personal.

 

Flexibility for Diverse Learning Needs

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While The Soil Project prioritizes individuality, we understand the value of recognized degrees for certain paths. For those who wish to pursue formal qualifications, we provide support for Seeds to enroll in online international universities alongside their TSP journey. These institutions offer globally recognized bachelor's or master's degrees in various fields, tailored to the Seeds’ interests and goals.

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Bridging New Education Models with Traditional Systems 

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We also believe in embracing diversity and respecting everyone’s unique aspirations. For this reason, The Soil Project is actively collaborating with partner universities to create a pathway where TSP courses earn academic credits toward degrees at these institutions. This innovative partnership ensures that our Seeds can pursue formal qualifications without compromising their experiential and transformative learning journey at The Soil Project.

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At TSP, your story matters. Whether through a vibrant portfolio, a formal degree, or both, our Seeds have the tools to thrive in a world that values individuality, creativity, adaptability, authentic self-expression and meaningful contributions.

©2022 by The Soil Project - Alternative Higher Education & Gap Year Programs

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