It’s a momentous week for Anne Sekula, director of Remake Learning, which is gearing up to host the “world’s largest open house on the future of learning.” From May 15-26, Remake Learning Days will offer 350 events showcasing the science, technology, maker, arts, and youth voice learning that is making the Pittsburgh region a national leader in education innovation. Originally from Virginia, Anne considers herself a Pittsburgher after living here for 15 years. The mother of three children, she lives in Squirrel Hill and enjoys weekend time on her “farmette” in Ligonier.
Monday, May 15
Normally my week is a mix of work, family and play (and if I’m lucky, squeezing in yoga at One Point One), but with Remake Learning Days coming up, work is on the forefront. Still, I’m lucky my work allows me to do a whole lot of playing with my family.
Why not start the week with the Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children discussing the Ultimate Play Day and developments with the PreK for PA campaign!
Then it’s off to PNC Park for the Remake Learning Days Kickoff Event sponsored by Google Geek Street. This is a great event for families and curious citizens to experience how 40 different schools and organizations are transforming learning!
Tuesday, May 16
I’ll start the morning with the important City of Pittsburgh Primary Election and voting School Board First.
Remake Learning Days is a great chance to visit programs I don’t know much about and can experience as a family. As I drive around the region, I will turn on The Saturday Light Brigade to listen to talented youth artists and activists.
Trinity Area High School is “remaking agriculture” through hydroponics and I want to learn more about this practice that is popping up throughout the region.
This afternoon, I will swing by Duquesne School District and Fort Cherry High School to check out their Maker Festivals for families and the community.
There are so many great events this evening. I hope to make the Gaming and Virtual Reality activity at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Woods Run branch, the HYPE Mad Science workshop at the Jeron Grayson Community Center in the Hill District, and the incredible STEAM programming at Perry High School.
Wednesday, May 17
Pittsburgh is full of great Ed Tech partners. OnHand Schools is sharing their impact from working with more than 100 school districts to advance personalized learning.
In the evening, I will take my kids to see what is behind those amazing games they play, with a visit to the dynamic Duolingo and Schell Games to playtest educational apps and games.
We have great educational offerings that lead to manufacturing careers. I must check out Intermediate Unit 1’s Fab Lab: Dream It, Design It and Make It in Coal Center, PA, and the New Century Careers Innovation Center on the South Side.
Thursday, May 18
Today is full of youth voice! An amazing national initiative, the XQ Super School Project‘s interactive school bus, will visit three communities to challenge us to rethink high school. In the spirit of provocation, I will check out the Youth Leading Change Summit and the Holy Family Academy’s student capstone projects.
That evening, I will take my kids to visit two more technology companies transforming education with BirdBrain Technologies’ robotics kits and the Willy Wonka-esque Inventionland!
Friday, May 19
This morning will start with Remake Learning’s Expanding Innovation project presentations from a collaboration of 17 regional school districts facilitated by the LUMA Institute.
I am so excited for battling robots at the National Robotics League competition at California University. Then it’s on to arts-focused events at Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and Manchester Craftsman’s Guild.
For our Friday family night, I will take the kids to Assemble’s Youth Maker Night or Carnegie Science Center’s Fab Lab, and a quick stop at our favorite neighborhood pizza joint, Aiello’s.
Saturday, May 20
After shuffling the kids through a morning of 14th Ward Baseball, Dynamo Soccer and Cut and Sew Studio, we’ll head out for an afternoon of more creation. The kids and I will pick from four great workshops: the Learn to Solder Class at HackPittsburgh, design thinking at Heinz History Center’s Innovation Station, digital recording at the YMCA Lighthouse Project, and laser cutting at TechShop Pittsburgh. I can’t wait to see what they make!
After soup dumplings at Everyday Noodles in Squirrel Hill, we’ll head to Pittsburgh Filmmakers to see CODE: Debugging the Gender Gap, and hopefully pick up some tips to inspire my seven-year-old to spend more time on ScratchJr.
Sunday, May 21
A very tired family will head down to the Children’s Theater Festival to participate in the interactive cardboard box construction site, We Built This City.
My children attend Falk Laboratory School, and their favorite event of the year, the Spring Carnival, is this afternoon. Because the kids have been such great sports this week, we will swing by Millie’s Homemade Ice Cream for a treat.
Whew, what a week! I will put the kids down for an early bedtime and put my feet up and plan for week two of Remake Learning Days.
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