URGENT UPDATE: Sonoma educators Linda Shore and David Barker are revolutionizing science education in Tibetan Buddhist monasteries across northern India, making significant advances that could reshape monastic curricula. For the past 16 years, the duo has been integral in bringing modern scientific concepts to monks and nuns, utilizing hands-on learning techniques that resonate deeply with traditional teachings.
Their latest trip, which began earlier this month, marks a crucial moment in the ongoing initiative, which was originally inspired by a 1999 directive from the Dalai Lama. This directive called for the integration of modern science into monastic education, a vision that Shore and Barker have tirelessly pursued. Armed with low-cost, Exploratorium-style exhibits, they have transformed abstract scientific ideas into tangible, engaging lessons, making their impact felt in classrooms far from their Sonoma home.
The couple’s work has grown from intensive workshops to the establishment of the Sager Science Leadership Institute, which trains monastic leaders to manage local science centers and classrooms. Through this initiative, hundreds of monks and nuns are now equipped to teach subjects ranging from cosmology to climate science. The program has expanded significantly, with materials credited to collaborations with Western universities and the Library of Tibetan Works & Archives, helping to scale these efforts across India, Nepal, and Bhutan.
As reported by the Sonoma Valley Sun, Shore, who has an Ed.D. in science education and previously led the Exploratorium’s Teacher Institute, and Barker, a veteran designer, have made roughly a dozen trips to India, emphasizing the importance of cultural exchange in education. Their exhibitions, painted in traditional Tibetan thangka style, include bilingual explanations that bridge Eastern and Western perspectives, particularly in their acclaimed show “World of Your Senses.”
This transformative project has seen significant milestones, including a series of workshops and exhibitions held in April 2025 to commemorate its 25th anniversary. The initiative has also begun including leadership training for nuns and expanding its reach through long-distance learning programs, directly impacting the lives of many learners in these monastic communities.
As Shore and Barker remain connected to their roots in Sonoma, they are also planning to publish a coffee-table book to document their traveling exhibits and classroom activities. This publication aims to broaden the accessibility of their educational materials, further enhancing the cultural exchange that has become the hallmark of their efforts.
The impact of their work is profound, showing how hands-on inquiry and cultural collaboration can strengthen local classrooms in Sonoma while fostering a new generation of scientifically literate monastics in the Himalayas. With each trip and every workshop, Shore and Barker are not just teaching science; they are building bridges between cultures, creating a legacy that resonates across borders.
In the coming weeks, as the couple continues their workshops, the educational community will be watching closely to see how these initiatives evolve and what new partnerships may form, potentially paving the way for a future where modern science and traditional monastic teachings coexist harmoniously.
