Discover, Create, Explore: Remake Learning Days Is Back

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY THE GRABLE FOUNDATION

One morning in May 2025, Yu-Ling Cheng and her two kids suited up at a pool in Deer Lakes. Sun shone through the windows as they strapped masks over their eyes, clipped vests and yellow oxygen tanks in place, and made the plunge.

In addition to a round or two of underwater rock-paper-scissors, Cheng and her family learned about marine science and careers like oceanography and underwater robotics.

That special morning was part of Remake Learning Days, one of the world’s largest open houses for hands-on learning.

“It’s really to help engage families, parents and caregivers to learn alongside their kids. We want to make sure that learning is accessible for everyone,” said Cheng, who is the festival’s co-producer. “We know that learning happens everywhere, whether it’s at a library or a park or a school.”

This year, the festival returns with more than a thousand events in cities and regions around the world. Though it now spans the globe, Remake Learning Days started right here in Southwestern Pennsylvania, where it will run again from May 1 to May 23.

“We purposely hold the festival in the springtime so that kids can continue learning in a fun way in their community over the summer,” said Cheng. Toward that end, she said that 51% of survey respondents last year learned about a new learning resource. Fifty percent said their child learned a new skill, and 25% said their child discovered a new passion.

This year, the festival’s 10th anniversary, will include over 260 hands-on learning events in Southwestern Pennsylvania alone. Hosted by libraries, schools, tech centers, parks, museums, play spaces, community centers and more, most events are free, and families can find activities for kids of any age (pre-K through high school).

Notable events include Robot Garden, where families will use coding to teach turnips to tap dance as part of an interactive TV show. Another event, Career Quest Carnival, allows students from kindergarten through fifth grade to explore 30 different jobs as they wonder about future careers.

Events are organized by learning themes like Arts, Maker, Outdoor Learning, Science, Technology and Youth Voice. Some activities qualify for Career Ready PA Backpack Challenge badges, an initiative of the Pennsylvania Department of Education that helps students prepare for life after graduation. Approximately 5,000 kids across Pennsylvania received badges last year, said Cheng.

At the end of the day, the festival is really a chance for children and their families—whatever their families may look like—to spend time together. Almost 60% of survey respondents said quality time was the festival’s greatest value, followed by the sheer fun of it.

Remake Learning Days is sponsored by The Grable Foundation and the Pennsylvania Department of Education. It is also made in partnership with Common Sense Media, Learning Heroes, and the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh.