Are numbers real? Can trees think? Who am I?
PLATO
Philosophy Learning and Teaching Organization
PLATO nurtures young people’s curiosity, critical thinking, and desire to explore big questions, through philosophy and ethics programs for students, educators, and families.
PHILOSOPHY TOOLKIT
PLATO’s Philosophy Toolkit is one of the most extensive collections in the world of free resources for philosophy sessions in K-12 classrooms, at home, during community events, and beyond!
There are over 250 lesson plans for leading philosophical discussions with children and youth, including activities and exercises, games, and discussion plans for works of children’s literature.
The Toolkit includes lesson plans for philosophical topics in:
- Art
- Film
- History and Social Studies
- Language Arts and Literature
- Math and Logic
- Music
- Science
Plus additional resources for many other subjects, including ethics, philosophy of science, epistemology, race and gender, philosophy of art, social and political philosophy, philosophy of education, and much more!
Online Series for Middle School Students
Wondering Aloud Blog
Since 2016 PLATO has funded a wide range of innovative philosophy programs around the US, including summer camps and institutes, community activities, ethics workshops, curriculum development, outreach programs, philosophy clubs, and many more. Many of the programs funded by PLATO take place in public and other non-traditional settings, and all seek to broaden philosophy’s reach around the United States.
Thanks to PLATO’s long-standing relationship with the University of Washington Department of Philosophy, developed by the Center for Philosophy for Children before its merger with PLATO in 2022, we offer:
- Graduate and undergraduate courses about philosophy with children and youth
- A Certificate of Mastery for University of Washington graduate students
- The Washington State High School Ethics Bowl
- Workshops and resources for local teachers
- Opportunities for visiting scholars and educators
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