BUILDING 360° THINKERS FOR AN AI WORLD. AGES 10-18.
Because critical thinking has never been more urgent …… or more teachable.
Our Founder
Dr. Julie Martin spent the first chapter of her career as an artist and photographer who loved working with kids, and that hands-on, creative instinct has never left her work.
Her own children drew her into alternative education nearly 20 years ago, sparking a deeper curiosity about how young people actually learn and develop essential 21st-century skills.
She has a BSc and MSc in Psychology with a focus on adolescent development, and a Doctorate in Instructional Design and Technology. The Critical Thinking Lab is where all of it comes together.
Our Why
Too many smart, capable tweens and teens are moving through school without ever being challenged to question, analyze, or reason through hard problems. That's not a talent gap, but a curriculum gap. We built TCTL to fix it in a fun, engaging way, with simulations that move beyond worksheets and drive-by exercises to promote deep learning and build 360° thinkers. Designed for homeschoolers, teachers, and schools. Better yet? Analog and digital versions mean critical thinking can be fostered anywhere, anytime!
Our Approach
Critical thinking is a habit of mind, not a unit on a syllabus, and habits are built through practice, not lecture. Every activity we design is grounded in the science of adolescent learning: real problems, meaningful collaboration, and experiences that stick. Our materials are ready to use straight out of the metaphorical box (digitally or analog!), without sacrificing depth or rigor. Did we mention they are also fun and adaptive, with the possibility of a different outcome each time?.......Coming soon!