We give scientists the tools they need to explore the universe

Children are naturally curious.

  • “Why does ice cream always melt?”
  • “Who put the stars in the sky?”
  • “Does it snow in Australia?”
  • “What are my nose holes called?”

They enter elementary with sensorial understanding and developing reasoning skills that will flourish with the help of a Montessori science curriculum. In fact, a Montessori elementary education begins with science through the telling of The First Great Lesson.

From there, it is up to the teacher/guide (or parent) to create an environment where children can continue to ask questions and provide them with the tools they need to find the answers.

  • But which lessons should you give them?
  • What Montessori science activities should you have prepared?
  • What materials will you need?

We’re here to help!

You don’t have to be an expert in chemistry or physics to engage young learners in the wonders of science, but sometimes it can feel a little daunting to get started. We teamed up with accomplished Montessori educators to give you the tools you need to introduce the foundations for physics, chemistry, earth science, space science, and life science as a part of Cosmic Education. All of the lessons align with the Montessori geography and biology albums, where science is traditionally introduced, or build on its teachings with other Montessori-inspired science activities. 

And it’s all part of an easy-to-follow, self-paced sequence that learners can navigate themselves. More time for you, and more time for science!

Our story

As the naturally curious founders of Learn Libre, we have always been passionate about asking questions, diving into explorations, and forging our own unique paths through life. In many ways, science is the perfect example of the Montessori method happening outside of the classroom. Even as adults, we continue to learn new things through scientific observation and investigation.

Despite the variety of enriching science lessons offered throughout the Montessori curriculum, teachers, guides, and homeschool parents have not always felt confident in demonstrating the lessons or setting up an environment to support further exploration through science experiments and activities. We talked to numerous teachers and families, and they all felt the same way. They wanted more science for their learners, but they weren’t sure where to start.

In typical Montessori fashion, we took our question, “How can we help make Montessori science more accessible to guides and parents?” and we turned it into a BIG project.

Since we started, our program has made it to over 96 different countries, and we plan to help share the wonder of science with even more Montessori communities around the world!

Meet our curious team

Rich Worley

Rich Worley

Co-founder & Product Director

Rich is the man behind the digital curtain. He is an entrepreneur and a curious kid at heart. With an aptitude for science and technology he brings all of our dreams and ideas here at Learn Libre to life. The Montessori lessons are known to be transformative, and Rich has experienced this first hand while converting them into an online format. He is excited to bring Montessori science into the Ed-tech world so that more children have the opportunity to fulfill their naturally inquisitive minds.

Favorite Animal: Dinosaurs!

Zoe Rising

Zoe Rising

Co-founder & Creative Director

Zoe’s specialty is transforming science education into entertaining exploration. She holds a B.S. in Biology from UCLA and enjoys finding innovative ways to share her love of science with others. She started as a young Montessorian scouring the house for scraps of material to conduct her own “personalized” experiments, and eventually became the “go-to” for giving science lessons when she assisted in a Montessori elementary classroom. Now she’s here at Learn Libre and excited to share her love for science with you!

Favorite Animal: Lemurs!

Ian Nesbit

Ian Nesbit

Visual Storyteller

Ian Nesbit is a post-modern polymath who believes that we can build a better world through cosmic education. Before earning his AMI Elementary diploma at Montessori Northwest in Portland, Oregon, he got his Master of Education at Delta State University and taught Sociology in Mississippi and Louisiana. Decades earlier, he learned filmmaking from one parent and the Montessori Method from the other, only to bring them together when students started learning from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. He currently resides in Harlem, New York (or wherever the road takes him).

Favorite Animal: Octopus!

Jenna Laffin

Jenna Laffin

Visual Storyteller

Jenna first began teaching in Spain many moons ago and, over the past decade and a half, developed a passion for Montessori, flamenco dance, and storytelling. Creating Montessori-aligned science videos fulfills two of those passions! Jenna trained as an AMI 6-12 guide at the Montessori Center of Minnesota and got her Master of Education at St. Catherine’s University. She worked at wonderful Montessori schools in Minnesota for several years before moving back to Spain to teach, and is now based in Mallorca.

Favorite Animal: Monarch Butterflies!

Letty Rising

Letty Rising

Curriculum Advisor

Letty reviews content creation to ensure that Learn Libre stays true to authentic Montessori lessons and objectives. She is an International Montessori consultant who holds an AMI elementary diploma for ages 6-12 and an M.Ed from Loyola University in Maryland. She has held positions as a Montessori Elementary Teacher, Education Coordinator, Homeschool Education Specialist, and Head of School in several different Montessori communities over the years. She loves helping young learners discover their interests and strengths.

Favorite Animal: Cats!

Dana Stitt

Dana Stitt

Educational Content Manager

Dana is an AMS-trained, Lower Elementary Montessori guide in New Orleans, Louisiana. She has been a public school educator for 10 years and loves seeing students ask questions and make discoveries. Dana got her Master of Education from the University of New Orleans. In her spare time, she enjoys being a Montessori Mama to her two young children.

Favorite Animal: Humpback Whales!

Victoria Swany

Victoria Swany

Educational Content Developer

Victoria is an Elementary guide who has been immersed in Montessori for the past 8 years. She received her AMI training from the Montessori Institute of San Diego. Victoria loves learning as much as she loves teaching, and is particularly interested in neuroscience, anthropology, and the interdisciplinary nature of all areas of study. She is from Tennessee originally and has lived in 7 states as well as abroad. She currently lives and teaches in Nashville, TN with her husband and newborn daughter.

Favorite Animal: Giant Anteater!

Cecily Cortez

Cecily Cortez

Bilingual Project Specialist

Cecily has been an integral part of translating all of our content into Spanish. She has been a Montessori school administrator for over 6 years, where she has worked with children ages 3 months to 12 years. Cecily has her B.A. and M.A. in Sociology, where she researched alternative methods of education and developed a framework for transforming higher education classrooms. She grew up hearing her family from Mexico and Nicaragua speak Spanish, and became fluent once she began traveling to see family in Mexico at age 12. She is excited to help ignite even more scientific minds with Learn Libre en español!

Favorite Animal: Leopards!

Beaker

Beaker

Office Security

With multiple very prestigious degrees in general cuteness, Beaker is not your typical security officer. What he lacks in size and intimidation, he makes up for in spunk and by barking at literally anything that moves. We were not actively hiring office security personnel when he joined us, but he kind of just fell into the role. He is unsure of what “science” means, but he does know “sit,” “lay down,” and “treat.” He plans to begin his science education by learning about physics so he can create a lever to get food off the kitchen counter.

Favorite Animal: Myself!