Welcome to the Wild and Free Podcast, episode 36. I'm Ainsley Arment, and this week we're going to hear an inspiring conversation with first-year homeschooler Rachel Alsbury, all about interest-led learning, STEM projects, and making learning natural. So grab a cup of coffee and join us on the front porch. Let's get started. When I think of Galileo, Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein, I am in awe at how they looked beyond with the physical

eye could see and saw things no one else could yet comprehend.

They imagined undiscovered universes, invisible forces at work, and patterns of the planets.

And guess what?

They were right.

They unlocked mysteries and changed the way people thought and lived, not only with

their scientific minds, but with their creativity. It's funny how we often think of creative types as

being artsy. When we think of creativity, we usually think of the painters, designers, writers,

and photographers. But what about the mathematicians, scientists, mechanics, and astronomers?

Creative minds come in all shapes and sizes, as do mothers.

And depending on our giftedness, personality, and intricate design,

creativity looks different in each of us.

There are homemakers and business makers, book lovers and adventure

takers, breadbakers and jewelry makers, curriculum creators and STEM researchers, fundmakers and

road trippers. We don't have to have every skill to be homeschoolers. As mothers, we only have to be

willing to bring our gifts to the table and use them to create a unique experience for our children.

Nearly 200 years ago, child educator Charlotte Mason wrote, Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life.

Last month, when we gathered in Portland for the Wild and Free Conference,

Elsie Udicello reminded us Mamas that we are the atmosphere.

So whether you're an organized mama, a fun mama, or an artsy mama, you can create an

atmosphere that delights her children and invites them to live and learn alongside her.

Mamas are makers, born to be creative. With a little imagination and

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