Great events to explore during Remake Learning Days

During the past decade, Pittsburgh has earned a national reputation as a leader in innovative teaching and learning across our schools, museums, libraries, out-of-school sites and early learning centers. The digital age and global economy require the kind of critical-thinking skills and creativity that kids can’t get just from listening to a lecture.

Nowhere is this activity more evident than in the upcoming Remake Learning Days, a week featuring nearly 300 events throughout the city from May 9th through May 15th. Think of it as a great big open house about the future of learning. Most of the events are free, and are designed for adults to play and tinker with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math), maker and technology-enhanced learning.

According to Ryan Coon of the Sprout Fund, children, youth and families will be able to find fun and engaging hands-on learning opportunities everywhere they turn during Remake Learning Days.

“Remake Learning Days is an opportunity for everyone involved in the network to share the incredible work they’re doing to inspire a generation of lifelong learners in our region,” Coon says. “You won’t be able to miss it!”

Highlights include:

Youth Voice:

• Student Panel Discussion on Equity – Hear from Pittsburgh Public School students on issues surrounding equity and eliminating racial disparities that can lead to more equitable outcomes. From 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on May 9th at Obama 6-12.

Digital Fabrication:

• Parent and Child Maker Studio – TechShop‘s skilled Youth Educators guide students through the engineering design process using laser cutters, 3D printers and modeling software. From noon to 2 p.m. on May 14th at TechShop Pittsburgh.

Maker Education:

• Family Maker Night – Children ages 3 to 7  and their guardians can learn through fun and creative activities such as Drawbots, Kinetic Sculptures, LED Throwies and MakeyMakey Piano. And kids will take home a picture book and anything else they make at the event, which is hosted by Fox Chapel Area School District. From 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on May 10th, Kerr Elementary School.

Showcases/Open Houses:

• Schell Games Open House – Curious about how games are developed? Schell Games will host an open house at Remake Learning Network’s studio in Station Square featuring a Q&A panel discussion to learn more about innovative and engaging game development. It’s a rare and fascinating behind-the-scenes look. Don’t miss it.

Digital Literacy:

• STEM All Hands on Tech Super Science Programs –  Just about every branch of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will offer this fun, hands-on event for children to play, experiment and discover more about science, technology, engineering and math-based learning. It’s the wave of the future and kids love it. Head to your local branch after school on May 11th.

Sustainable Innovation:

• Farmers Market Science Booth – High-schoolers showcase their STEM leadership skills with a soil analysis activity at the East Liberty Citiparks Farmers Market from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on May 9th.

Community Celebrations:

• Through A Looking Glass – Artists activate a dedicated space at the Thrival Innovation + Music Festival for an educational, interactive art show. A panel discussion and local DJs follow the show from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. on May 10th.

Maker Education:

• Robot Maker Marathon – Here kids can go from station to station to explore maker projects, crafts, small robots and coding activities. They’ll have a blast without even knowing that it will be helping them to think computationally, like a programmer. A great way to inspire kids to learn more in this exploding field. From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on May 14th at Mt. Lebanon Public Library.

Media Making:

• The Steeltown Entertainment Summit – Jamie Widdoes moderates this panel discussion about the intersection of entertainment, education and technology on May 10th at the Phillip Chosky Theatre at Carnegie Mellon University.

Design Thinking:

• Design Thinking Workshop: A lens for smart adaptation – This fast-paced, interactive session uses real school data to learn about and apply design thinking practices. From 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on May 11th at Hotel Monaco.

Early Learning:

• Family Fun Gross Night – Kids are fascinated by the human body. At this event, they can learn more about the gross things their bodies can do with hands-on activities to answer important questions such as, “Can you be suffocated by your own farts?” A fun and engaging way to learn more! From 7 to 8 p.m. on May 10th at Northland Public Library.

• Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children’s UnConference: Maker Tots – Featuring hands-on learning, this professional development event has Sarah Wolman from LEGO Foundation scheduled as the keynote speaker. May 14th at the Carnegie Science Center.

Remake Learning Days will kick off with a special event on May 9th — more details coming soon — then wrap up with the Remake Learning Rally, a free community-wide celebration of learning and a networking opportunity for all. The rally will include a recap of #RemakeDays panels, workshops and parties, is scheduled for 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on May 13th at PNC Park.