From a simple cardboard box for reusing paper to nationwide partnerships with environmental nonprofits, Noah Sorin (Questrom’24) is transforming how children learn about sustainability through his startup, Idori.
“Teaching children about sustainability is a real issue because most parents and educators find sustainability too complex, anxiety-inducing, and time-consuming to teach children at a young age,” Noah explains. “But children start developing their habits, biases, and behaviors as early as three, four, and five years old, yet often aren’t taught about sustainability concepts until they’re in middle or high school, if at all.”
This gap in early environmental education inspired Noah to create Idori, which stands for “I Dream of Real Impact.” The company produces educational children’s books, eco-friendly plush toys, and learning materials that make sustainability concepts accessible and entertaining for young children.
One of Idori’s signature characters is Benjy the Tree Hopper, an eco-friendly plush toy made from 100% organic cotton that teaches kids about the importance of trees and the problems with deforestation. Accompanying characters like Flo the Ocean Dweller and Jimbo the Puffball introduce different environmental themes to create a comprehensive understanding of sustainability.
The impact of these educational tools is already visible. After leading an environmental enrichment program in a second-grade classroom, Noah received heartwarming feedback from a mother whose daughter “couldn’t stop talking about how much she loved trees” and had set up a collection box for partially used paper that still had space for drawing.
Boston University has played a crucial role in Idori’s development. Noah’s journey began when he joined the First-Year Innovation Fellowship as a freshman, where he originally conceived the idea. He continued through the Innovation Pathway in subsequent years, participated in the BU Summer Accelerator program, and competed in the BU Hospitality Innovation Competition.
“Through mentoring and coaching that I received from BU, I was also able to get into the Mass Challenge 2023 Early Stage Accelerator program,” Noah shares. “BU has given us a ton of support over the years and helped us get to where we are today.”
Looking toward the future, Idori is forming partnerships with nonprofits across the country to expand its reach. One particularly exciting collaboration is with Eco Brothers, an organization that donates books to underserved communities nationwide. Through this partnership, Idori plans to donate 250 books to get Benjy the Tree Hopper into all 50 states and five different countries.
“Our goal is to make sustainability and nature-based education a cornerstone of early childhood, so that every child, no matter where they grow up, has opportunities to learn about the beauty of nature from a young age,” Noah explains. “When they grow up, sustainability will be second nature to them.”
“Everyone wants clean air, clean water, and a healthy environment,” Noah says. “Through our books and toys, we hope to inspire the next generation to make that a reality.”
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