The Art & Science of Learning

Dr Kinga Petrovai
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The Art & Science of Learning (TASL) Podcast connects ideas, people, and resources to inform and inspire exceptional learning experiences. Bridging the gap between research and practice across various industries promotes the cross-pollination of ideas to enhance learning for all. Through in-depth conversations with global leaders in learning, the TASL podcast aims to broaden the discussion on how we learn. In each episode, learning specialist Dr. Kinga Petrovai interviews industry leaders, academics, practitioners, and learning designers to explore various aspects of learning and development. These conversations weave together insights from around the globe and across industries, reaching listeners in 100 countries to inspire and inform innovations in lifelong learning.

  1. JAN 28

    126. Beyond the Hype: Rethinking Education in the Age of AI

    Artificial intelligence is advancing at an extraordinary pace, and education is being reshaped whether we are ready for it or not. In this episode, we discuss a new and fascinating book on this topic — Artificial Intelligence in Education: The Intersection of Technology and Pedagogy. The contributors are experts from around the world who are both educators and technically proficient. I’m joined by the editors of the book, who are leading experts in the field of learning technologies. Dr. Peter Ilic is a Senior Associate Professor in the Center for Language Research at the University of Aizu in Japan. Dr. Imogen Casebourne is the research lead at the Innovation Lab at the Digital Education Futures Initiative (DEFI) at Cambridge University. Prof. Rupert Wegerif is Professor of Education in the Faculty of have Education at the University of Cambridge and the founder and academic director of the Digital Education Futures Initiative (DEFI) at Hughes Hall, Cambridge University. The book and this conversation sit at the intersection, and sometimes the tension, between technologists and educators. Historically, educational technologies promised transformation but often end up reinforcing outdated models of learning. AI poses a new challenge that is fundamentally changing education. Together, we explore why simply adding AI to existing systems doesn’t work, why dialogue between technology and pedagogy is now urgent, and how approaches like design-based research can help us develop educational AI more responsibly. We also discuss what it might mean to move toward a more dialogic understanding of education, one focused less on the transmission of knowledge and more on collaboration, problem-solving, and learning with both people and technology. At its core, this episode is a call for collaboration between educators, technologists, and policymakers and for taking an active role in shaping the future of AI in education, rather than being shaped by it. Links: Book: Artificial Intelligence in Education: The Intersection of Technology and Pedagogy https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-71232-6 Dr. Peter Ilic: https://u-aizu.ac.jp/research/faculty/detail?lng=en&cd=90119 Dr. Imogen Casebourne: https://www.deficambridge.org/people/imogen-casebourne/ Prof. Rupert Wegerif: https://www.educ.cam.ac.uk/people/staff/wegerif/

    55 min

  2. JAN 6

    125. Music and the Mind: Inside the Global Launch of the Royal Conservatory of Music’s Smart Start Program

    This special episode comes directly from an inspiring day at the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) in Toronto, where the global launch of the Smart Start program was celebrated through a landmark symposium titled Music and the Mind: A Smart Start to Early Childhood Education. The event focused on the transformative role of music in early childhood learning and development. Educators, researchers, policymakers, and arts advocates gathered in Koerner Hall in Toronto to explore how music influences the developing brain, supports emotional and social growth, and enhances early learning well beyond songs and rhythm. The symposium also examined the evolving role of technology and artificial intelligence in education and creativity. Smart Start is the Royal Conservatory of Music’s early childhood music program, designed for young learners at the very beginning of their musical journey. Grounded in research on child development and learning science, the program uses play-based, developmentally appropriate activities to nurture musical skills alongside cognitive, social, and emotional growth. Smart Start is about more than learning music—it supports whole-child development through music. For more background on how the program was developed, listen here to the previous episode featuring Alexander Brose, President & CEO of The Royal Conservatory of Music: https://www.theartandscienceoflearning.com/blogsidebysidee/124-music-amp-neuroscience-the-royal-conservatory-of-musics-innovative-approach-to-early-childhood-education-alexander-brose The day opened with a powerful keynote from Renée Fleming, celebrated soprano and author of Music and Mind, who spoke about the impact of music and music therapy on health and wellbeing. She invited the audience to sing together in harmony, setting the tone for a day centered on connection, research, and shared experience. Alexander Brose, President & CEO of The Royal Conservatory of Music, welcomed attendees and shared the story behind Smart Start’s creation and development. Throughout the day, internationally recognized voices from across disciplines contributed to panels and discussions on music, neuroscience, education, creativity, and innovation. Speakers and panelists included Evan Solomon, Canada’s Minister of Artificial Intelligence, Raffi, the beloved children’s singer-songwriter, Steve Paikin, the award-winning journalist, Eric Radford, Olympic figure skater and composer, and many more. The symposium also featured hands-on learning experiences led by Catherine West, pedagogy leader and early childhood education specialist, allowing participants to experience Smart Start exactly as children would in a learning environment. This episode brings the symposium to life through three in-depth interviews with key speakers: - Dr. Indre Viskontas (6:00min) – Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of San Francisco, musician, and host of the Inquiring Minds podcast, discussing the neuroscience of music and learning - Kevin Chan (24:30min) – Senior Director at Meta, exploring the connections between creativity, technology, AI, and education - Dr. Sean Hutchins (35:50min) – Director of Research at The Royal Conservatory of Music and co-developer of the Smart Start curriculum, unpacking the research and educational thinking behind the program Together, these conversations offer a rich picture of why Smart Start matters and how early, play-based music education can help develop cognitive skills, emotional regulation, creativity, and problem-solving abilities, setting children up to become lifelong learners. Dive in to revisit the ideas, insights, and inspiration from the Music and the Mind symposium, celebrating the global launch of the Royal Conservatory of Music’s Smart Start program. Links: Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) Neuroscience: https://www.rcmusic.com/about-us/rcm-neuroscience Music and the Mind Symposium (October 31st 2025): https://www.rcmusic.com/about-us/news/global-launch-of-rcm-early-childhood-music

    46 min

  3. 10/30/2025

    124. Music & Neuroscience: The Royal Conservatory of Music’s Innovative Approach to Early Childhood Education (Alexander Brose)

    For the past decade, The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, Canada, has partnered with leading neuroscientists to develop an early childhood education program that uses music to strengthen the cognitive foundations of lifelong learning. Designed for children from six months to four years old, this innovative approach nurtures essential learning skills through the power of music and integrates technology to prepare future-ready minds. On October 31, 2025, The Royal Conservatory of Music will host the global launch of Smart Starts, a groundbreaking program that brings together experts in music, cognitive development, and technology to redefine early childhood education. I am looking forward to attending this symposium, called Music and the Mind, which will be packed with incredible speakers, and in the next episode will feature highlights from that day. In this episode, my guest — the CEO and President of the RCM — joins me to discuss lifelong learning, the importance of creativity, the intersection of artistic and artificial intelligence, and the vision behind Smart Starts. Alexander Brose is the President & CEO of The Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) in Toronto, Canada. Before joining RCM, he was the inaugural Executive Director and CEO of the Tianjin Juilliard School in China, The Juilliard School in New York City’s first and only branch campus. There, he worked closely with colleagues both in Tianjin and New York to create an inclusive and supportive institutional culture that upheld the educational and artistic excellence of Juilliard and respected the surrounding influences of China. Prior to that, he was the Vice President for Development at the Aspen Music Festival and School in Colorado, where he was responsible for all fund-raising and strategic relationship-building activities, raising US$75M as part of a capital campaign, and working with AMFS leadership to create a new strategic vision for the organization. Mr. Brose began his career spanning a decade in senior management roles at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music in California, including Director of Admissions and Associate Vice President for Advancement. Raised in South Korea, Hong Kong, and the United States, Mr. Brose received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Asian Studies, with a concentration in China, from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. An award-winning vocalist, Mr. Brose has performed in prestigious concert venues across the globe, including on the U.S. nationally-syndicated radio show “A Prairie Home Companion,” at the Seoul National Arts Center in South Korea, with the Glimmerglass Festival in Cooperstown, N.Y., and with the Grammy Award-winning San Francisco Symphony Chorus, among others. He has served as a member of the Board of Governors of the Recording Academy (Grammys) in the United States and the American Chamber of Commerce in China. He currently sits on the advisory councils of the Cornell University Glee Club, the school’s oldest student organization, as well as the Tianjin Juilliard School. A sought-after public speaker, Mr. Brose has presented at major arts conferences and universities in both the U.S. and China. Links: Alexander Brose: https://www.rcmusic.com/about-us/michael-and-sonja-koerner-president-and-ceo RCM Neuroscience: https://www.rcmusic.com/about-us/rcm-neuroscience Music and the Mind Symposium (October 31st 2025): https://www.rcmusic.com/about-us/news/global-launch-of-rcm-early-childhood-music

    45 min

  4. 10/24/2025

    123. Urgency of Learning How to Learn in the Age of AI (Trini Balart)

    There are significant challenges in education that have been ignored for too long, and AI is forcing us to confront them urgently; otherwise, AI will think for us, rather than with us. The need to learn how to learn has been increasingly important, but it has rarely been fully integrated into the education system. My guest in this episode is a doctoral student researching how to teach critical thinking with the aid of AI. She is sounding the alarm on the importance of teaching this skill with AI, otherwise, she thinks that AI will not only think for us, but it will not allow us to think at all. Trini Balart is a Ph.D. candidate in the Multidisciplinary Engineering Department at Texas A&M University, originally from Chile. She holds a background in Industrial Engineering, Computer Science, and a major in Engineering, Design, and Innovation from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. Her research focuses on engineering education and the impact of generative artificial intelligence on how we teach, learn, and think. She is especially interested in how these tools are shaping the development of critical thinking in engineering students and prompting us to rethink the true purpose of education and what we understand by learning itself. Passionate about human-centred development, innovation, and progress, Trini is committed to building a future where AI empowers, rather than replaces, our uniquely human capabilities. She envisions a future where these tools may even help us reach deeper levels of knowledge and societal development. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trinidad-balart-386213223/

    35 min

  5. 08/21/2025

    122. A Technical School Forged by Engineers, Fueled by Purpose (Tudor Andrei Tămâian, Principal of Anghel Saligny Technical High School)

    This is very special episode of the podcast — one that’s quite personal and rooted in a story that spans generations. Earlier this summer, I had the privilege of visiting Anghel Saligny Technical High School (Liceului Tehnologic Anghel Saligny) in Baia Mare, Romania — a school that holds profound meaning for my family. I was there to take part in my mother’s 50th high school reunion, a beautiful moment of reflection and reconnection. But my family’s connection to this school goes far beyond that. My grandfather — a respected senior leader in the field of engineering — was among the group of leading engineers who shared a vision of creating a school that developed the future talent in civil building engineering. They created a school where young people could be trained for real careers in engineering, technology, and construction — a vision that continues to shape the school today. My godparents, also respected senior leaders in engineering, taught for many years at the school, bringing their professional experience and expertise to students. Now, that legacy lives on through my godparents’ daughter, Daniela Maria Deceanu, also an engineer who now serves as the Vice Principal of the school. My own passion for education has been deeply shaped by both of my grandfathers. One, an engineer with a forward-thinking mindset, believed strongly in preparing students for the workforce of the future. The other, a devoted language teacher, passed on a love for words, learning, and communication. My parents carried on their passion for learning by teaching me how to learn and instilling in me the importance of lifelong learning. Their values continue to guide me in my work and in conversations that I have on this podcast. In this episode, I sit down with Tudor Andrei Tămâian, the Principal of Anghel Saligny Technical High School, to talk about what it means to lead a vocational school in today’s world. Tudor shares how the school partners with local industry, facilitates European work exchange programs, and helps students gain practical, hands-on experience. We also talk about the school’s impressive track record at skills olympics and professional competitions, where students consistently prove the power of applied education. This conversation is about leadership, vision, and the future of vocational learning. Tudor Andrei Tămâian is the Principal of Anghel Saligny Technical High School (Liceul Tehnologic Anghel Saligny) in Baia Mare, Romania. He is a highly dedicated professional with a strong academic background in Economics (B.A.), Business Administration, and Human Rights (M.A.). With over 15 years of experience as an educator and four years as a high school principal, Tudor also brings valuable insights from previous roles in sales and financial services, particularly in credit and banking. As a school leader, he promotes a collaborative and open management style that values communication, teamwork, and a positive work environment. His decisions are always student-centred, aiming to improve both the learning experience and student outcomes. Passionate about sharing knowledge and values with younger generations, Tudor is committed to being part of a mission-driven team focused on reducing school dropout rates and increasing the number of students who successfully complete their high school education. He strongly believes in education as a powerful tool for building better futures. Anghel Saligny Technical High School (Liceul Tehnologic Anghel Saligny) https://www.asalignybm.tpsvision.ro

    30 min

  6. 07/25/2025

    121. Learning in Museums - Visiting 9 Ottawa Museums in 3 Days

    This is a special episode in which I’m reflecting on a unique experience that I undertook: visiting 9 Ottawa museums in just 3 days to explore how each one creates meaningful, accessible, and inspiring learning experiences. This whirlwind tour includes 7 of Canada’s national museums: Canada Agriculture and Food Museum - https://ingeniumcanada.org/cafm Canada Aviation and Space Museum - https://ingeniumcanada.org/casm Canadian Museum of History - https://www.historymuseum.ca Canadian Museum of Nature - http://nature.ca Canada Science and Technology Museum - http://ingeniumcanada.org Canadian War Museum - https://www.warmuseum.ca National Gallery of Canada (Including an interview with Kathryn Lyons, Director of Learning and Community Engagement - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-lyons-48a6253/ ) http://www.gallery.ca Plus, two additional Ottawa landmarks: Royal Canadian Mint - https://www.mint.ca/en Bytown Museum - http://bytownmuseum.ca While each of these remarkable museums easily warrants a full day, I’m using the new 3-Day Museum Pass from Ottawa Tourism, which is a great way to see what each museum has to offer. Ottawa Museum Pass https://ottawatourism.ca/en/ottawa-insider/explore-ottawas-museums-ottawa-museums-pass?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22501991642&gbraid=0AAAAA-NkCBJ8OQutpMd54a4wyAFE5Zi3B&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIntnbs-nYjgMVilN_AB2NsjYgEAAYAiAAEgKnPfD_BwE Ottawa Tourism https://ottawatourism.ca/en?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR6mJqJqOQlwQnuz9-vM4Q20AQu0eNNQlW_lnjAo_R6H20kfO0SGb_qIYC8DeA_aem_ry7fXUc3ozpQdV-neRnTGA

    1h 4m

  7. 07/03/2025

    120. Entrepreneurial Mindset & Skills (Dr. Wendy Cukier)

    Entrepreneurial skills aren’t just for entrepreneurs, they are essential to everyone. In times of turbulence and unpredictability, having an entrepreneurial mindset and skills is critical. In this episode, I speak with the research lead of the Future Skills Centre, and we explore what it means to approach work and life with an entrepreneurial mindset, as well as the skills necessary for the future of work. Dr. Wendy Cukier is a professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Ted Rogers School of Management at Toronto Metropolitan University, Academic Director of the Diversity Institute, and Academic Research Director of the Future Skills Centre. She co-authored the bestseller “Innovation Nation: Canadian Leadership from Java to Jurassic Park" and is a leader in disruptive technologies and innovation. Formerly the Vice President of Research and Innovation, she has been the architect of many large scale projects and is currently the Academic Research Director for the Future Skills Centre as well as the founder of the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub. With a PhD in Information Systems and more than thirty years of technology consulting, her recent work on the Canadian AI Paradox addresses the gap between Canada’s leadership in the development of AI tools and the adoption of them. With the Future Skills Centre, she has led several related research projects, the development of competency frameworks and strategies to support the adoption of AI among entrepreneurs and Small and Medium Enterprises. She leads Toronto Metropolitan University’s Diversity Institute which has over 80 research staff, 100 research associates across Canada and from around the world, and more than 200 industry partners focused on includive education, employment, leadership and entrepreneurship. Wendy has been recognized with many awards for her volunteer work. She has also received Canada’s Meritorious Service Cross, one of the country’s highest civilian honours. In addition to her PhD in Information Systems from the Schulich School of Business, she has an MBA (Marketing and Information Systems), an MA, and honourary doctorates from Laval and Concordia universities. Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-cukier-9aa85910/ Future Skills Centre: https://fsc-ccf.ca/team/wendy-cukier-2/

    42 min

  8. 06/24/2025

    119. Special Episode: Highlights from Ottawa Innovation Week

    This is a special episode featuring highlights from the inaugural Ottawa Innovation Week, with seven insightful interviews from some of the most inspiring leaders in technology and innovation, many of whom were speakers and organizers during the week’s events. Ottawa Innovation Week is a celebration of bold ideas, creative minds, and the changemakers driving the future of technology, business, arts, entertainment, and social impact—right here in Canada’s capital. The initiative was led by Sonya Shorey, President and CEO of Invest Ottawa, in collaboration with the Ottawa Board of Trade, Ottawa Tourism, and numerous partner organizations. My interview with Sonya can be found in Episode 118 of The Art & Science of Learning podcast. Designed to showcase the strength, diversity, and growing momentum of Ottawa’s innovation ecosystem, this first-of-its-kind event brought together leading voices from across technology, entrepreneurship, investment, and research. Throughout the week, I had the privilege of speaking with seven influential figures who are shaping the future of innovation both locally and globally. From startup founders and global corporate leaders to investors and ecosystem architects, each guest shares unique insights into their field, along with personal reflections on growth, leadership, and opportunity. Featured interviews (with timestamps) include: • Veronica Farmer (11:50) – Chief Marketing Officer at Wesley Clover International and a widely respected community builder in Ottawa’s business and tech landscape • Dr. Lindy Ledohowski (37:20) – Vice President at RBCx, supporting leading tech companies with insights drawn from her background as both founder and academic • Julia Elvidge (46:20)– Co-founder of SheBoot, a trailblazer in intellectual property strategy and a champion of women’s entrepreneurship in tech • Nick Quain (59:10) – Vice President of Venture & Entrepreneurship at Invest Ottawa and a driving force behind the city's startup ecosystem • Erin Kelly (1:07:20) – Co-founder and CEO of askpolly.ai, an AI-powered platform transforming predictive analysis in public affairs and beyond • Jonathan Lowenhar (1:14:50) – Founder & Managing Partner at Enjoy The Work, a global advisory firm helping startup founders become exceptional CEOs • Andrew Holmes (1:23:20) – Founder of Sleep Efficiency Inc., and a national expert in the science and impact of sleep health From venture capital and AI innovation to women-led tech startups and the future of sleep science, this episode presents a compelling cross-section of ideas and expertise. Whether you’re a founder, investor, policymaker, or simply curious about Ottawa’s role in shaping the innovation economy, there’s something here for you. ---- Links and Guest Biographies: Ottawa Innovation Week: https://www.investottawa.ca/innovation-week/ Invest Ottawa: https://www.investottawa.ca Interview with Sonya Shorey about Ottawa Innovation Week: https://www.theartandscienceoflearning.com/e101-jan-present/e118-launching-ottawa-innovation-week-sonya-shorey Veronica Farmer Veronica Farmer is Chief Marketing Officer at Wesley Clover International where she oversees all aspects of its promotion and management, collaborating closely with portfolio companies and affiliates such as L-SPARK, Alacrity Global, and WCS Global. Recognized as one of Ottawa’s foremost community builders, Veronica holds leadership and board roles in numerous business and non-profit organizations. As the Founder and former CEO of TrueCourse Communications, a full-service marketing and communications agency, Veronica guided numerous tech, B2B, and B2C clients in Ottawa and beyond toward market success. TrueCourse was acquired in December 2024, marking a milestone in her entrepreneurial journey. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronicafarmer/ TechTuesday: https://www.wesleyclover.com/events/techtuesday/ Dr. Lindy Ledohowski Dr. Lindy Ledohowski is VP at RBCx, where she supports some of the Ottawa region’s biggest and best tech companies on behalf of RBCx. Prior to her work in banking, she was a professor and founder of EssayJack, an academic writing platform. EssayJack was acquired in 2021 by Wizeprep, and Lindy joined Wizeprep first as a VP and then as Chief Operating Officer. She is also an active Board member in the not-for-profit space LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindy-ledohowski/ Julia Elvidge Julia Elvidge is co-founder of SheBoot, a bootcamp for women entrepreneurs of scalable tech and tech-enabled businesses. Julia has been recognized as one of the world’s foremost IP strategists by Intellectual Property Magazine (IAM). Trained as an electrical engineer, Julia designed microchip circuits and analyzed semiconductors before moving into the business side of technology. As co-founder and President, Julia helped build Chipworks into an industry leader, delivering patent analytics and technology intelligence services to intellectual property and R&D groups in electronics companies across Asia, North America and Europe. Recipient of the Canadian Women in Communications Trailblazer of the Year Award (2008) and CATA WIT (Women in Technology) Sara Kirke Award for Woman Entrepreneurship (2007). LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliaelvidge/ SheBoot: https://sheboot.ca Nick Quain Nick Quain is Vice President of Venture & Entrepreneurship at Invest Ottawa, he spearheads support for Ottawa’s tech and entrepreneurial sectors while championing the local business ecosystem as a whole. Previously he served as co-founder and CEO at CellWand. They pioneered the use of abbreviated dialing codes in North America with their award-winning #TAXI (Pound Taxi) service and later in the mobile transportation space with The Ride app. CellWand earned numerous business and innovation awards, including the 2010 Canada’s Top 10 Competition for Technology, recognition as one of Canada’s Hottest Innovation Companies, and being named one of the top 10 Wireless Companies to Watch by IDC. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-quain/ Erin Kelly Erin Kelly is co-founder and CEO of askpolly.ai, the venture-backed AI company that has cracked the code for predicting human reaction to a future scenario. askpolly has successfully predicted the outcome of over 30 elections and referendums, assisted with frundraising, forecast disease spread and helped hundreds of executives hone their messages through very difficult PR situations. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinottawa/ askpolly: https://www.askpolly.ai Jonathan Lowenhar Jonathan Lowenhar is Founder & Managing Partner at Enjoy The Work. Founded in 2015, Enjoy The Work is a San Francisco-based startup advisory firm that helps founders transform into master operators and become great CEOs. Enjoy The Work has supported more than 125 startups, representing more than $13B in combined market value. Among their global client list are notable success stories such as Tipalti, Paper.co, inDinero, RealtyMogul and Honeybook. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jlowenhar/ Enjoy The Work: https://enjoythework.com Andrew Holmes Andrew Holmes is Founder of Sleep Efficiency Inc. Before founding Sleep Efficiency, Andrew served as Senior of Cardiopulmonary labs at the Queensway Carleton Hospital in Ottawa, where he led the team responsible for a full-service out-patient cardiopulmonary department and sleep clinic. Andrew is routinely featured as the sleep subject matter expert on CTV News and CBC’s The National, offering insights into the critical role of sleep health. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-holmes-rpsgt-49961951/ Sleep Efficiency: https://www.sleepefficiency.ca

    1h 35m
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About

The Art & Science of Learning (TASL) Podcast connects ideas, people, and resources to inform and inspire exceptional learning experiences. Bridging the gap between research and practice across various industries promotes the cross-pollination of ideas to enhance learning for all. Through in-depth conversations with global leaders in learning, the TASL podcast aims to broaden the discussion on how we learn. In each episode, learning specialist Dr. Kinga Petrovai interviews industry leaders, academics, practitioners, and learning designers to explore various aspects of learning and development. These conversations weave together insights from around the globe and across industries, reaching listeners in 100 countries to inspire and inform innovations in lifelong learning.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr Kinga Petrovai
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    126
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 The Art & Science of Learning
  • Show Website
    The Art & Science of Learning