Behind the Scenes: Designing “The Science of Happiness” Microlearning Series

Jill Monte · Nov 18, 2025

At EDSI, we believe that learning should be both impactful and human-centered. That’s why our Innovative Learning Solutions team is constantly exploring new ways to support employee growth and well-being. One of the most exciting recent projects is The Science of Happiness microlearning series, designed by Senior Instructional Designer Marina Zhohlieva. This blog takes you behind the scenes of the course’s development and shows how it reflects EDSI’s broader commitment to workforce development consulting and adult professional development.

Q: Tell us how you found EDSI and what inspired you to create a course on happiness.

Marina: My journey to EDSI started seven years ago when I immigrated from Ukraine. Rebuilding my career in a new country was challenging, but I found a supportive environment here. During a November team meeting, I was moved by how genuinely people expressed gratitude. That moment—and the growing focus on wellness in 2025—really inspired me to put my psychology background to good use in a meaningful way.

Q: Why is happiness an important topic for workplace learning?

Marina: Happiness isn’t just a feel-good concept—it’s a measurable, impactful factor in workplace performance. According to the American Psychological Association, 92% of workers say it’s important to work for an organization that values their emotional and psychological well-being. And Mental Health America’s 2024 report shows that employees in supportive environments are 3.5 times more likely to be engaged at work. Happiness affects everything from productivity to retention.

Q: What does the course look like so far?

Marina: It’s a 12-month microlearning series called The Science of Happiness, with each module taking about 10 minutes to learn practical strategies for boosting well-being. It’s mobile-friendly, which I call “the most sacred form of e-learning”—personal, accessible, and flexible. So far, I’ve completed eight modules, each built around scientific research in positive psychology, neuroscience, and the science of happiness.

Q: What’s the structure of the series?

Marina: The series is built around three pillars—what I call the “three elephants” of happiness: body, soul, and mind. The body modules cover food, sleep, and exercise. For example, the food module introduces the “happy six” categories of foods that support emotional well-being. The sleep module explains how proper rest helps process emotional trauma, and the exercise module offers accessible movement options—even something as simple as gazing at the horizon.

Q: How do you incorporate psychology into the design?

Marina: I use the PERMA model—Positive emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment—to guide the “soul” section. Each module includes a monthly challenge to help participants apply what they’ve learned. I also explore concepts like hedonistic adaptation (how we get used to good and bad things) and the savoring technique, which encourages people to intentionally enjoy experiences.

Q: What’s your design process like?

Marina: It varies. Some modules rely on storytelling, others on guided meditations or interactive visuals. I design everything in Canva and upload it to our learning platform. For the “meaning” module, I created an animated character who asks reflective questions—sometimes it’s easier to answer when someone else is asking.

Q: Who is the course for, and how is it received?

Marina: For now, it’s primarily for our Innovative Learning Solutions (ILS) Team—the people behind so many of our learning and development efforts. We meet monthly to discuss the modules and challenges. I don’t expect dramatic transformations; the goal is for people to feel empowered and say, “I did this for myself.” That’s the real success.

Q: How does this project reflect EDSI’s broader expertise?

Marina: This series is just one example of how EDSI’s ILS Team brings together research, creativity, and empathy to design impactful learning experiences. Our team has deep expertise in workforce development consulting and adult professional development.

Whether it’s building customized training for frontline workers or designing leadership academies, we meet learners where they are. EDSI’s Training Solutions are tailored to meet the unique needs of every organization – combining research-backed strategies, engaging delivery methods, and measurable outcomes to drive real impact.

We recently launched KeyweLearn, our new learning platform that makes it easier than ever to deliver engaging, mobile-first content. It’s part of our commitment to helping organizations grow their people—and their impact.

Final Thoughts: Marina’s work is a testament to how instructional design can blend science, empathy, and creativity. As organizations prioritize wellness, courses like The Science of Happiness offer a meaningful way to support employees—not just professionally, but personally.

Sources: APA Work in America Survey, Mental Health America Workplace Wellness Research

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