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REMAKE LEARNING:
Photo Credit : Ben Filio for Remake Learning
PITTSBURGH'S LEARNING ECOSYSTEM
What Is a Learning Ecosystem?
If you’re a parent, caregiver or educator, you know that kids don’t just learn in the classroom. They learn while exploring the backyard, at the library, in after-school programs, and through conversations with caring adults. In other words, learning happens everywhere, across a connected “learning ecosystem” of people, places, and experiences that shape a young person's growth.
Think back to Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. For more than 30 years, Fred Rogers introduced children to musicians, bakers, scientists, and artists. He took them on field trips to museums and libraries, and went behind the scenes at places like grocery stores and crayon factories. His show was more than entertainment—it was a model of a thriving learning ecosystem that sparked curiosity and contributed to children’s development.
Today, education research confirms what Mister Rogers understood: when kids are supported by a network of educators, mentors, and community resources, they develop the skills and confidence they need to thrive. In Pittsburgh, this belief has been brought to life in a real and meaningful way through Remake Learning—one of the world’s most celebrated examples of a learning ecosystem.
Why Remake Learning Is a Model for the World
Since its start in 2007, Remake Learning has worked to ensure that every child in the Pittsburgh region has access to engaging and relevant learning opportunities. Today, it is a thriving network of thousands of people and more than 800 organizations, connecting schools, libraries, museums, businesses, artists, and technologists—all working together to support kids and families.
This collaboration has transformed Pittsburgh into a global leader in innovative education. More than 40 communities worldwide have used Remake Learning as a model for creating their own learning ecosystems. Leaders in education, government, and technology have studied how Pittsburgh’s approach makes learning more connected, hands-on, and meaningful.
Remake Learning Benefits Kids & Families
As a parent or caregiver, you want your child to love learning. As an educator, you want students to be engaged and prepared for real world success. The good news? Pittsburgh is full of innovative learning experiences that go far beyond traditional classrooms. Thanks to Remake Learning, kids in our region are exploring, creating, and discovering in ways that prepare them for college, careers and beyond.
Here are just a few ways Pittsburgh’s learning ecosystem is enriching young lives:
1. Hands-On Learning That Sparks Curiosity
Instead of just reading about science and technology, students in Pittsburgh are doing science and technology. Kids in local schools and community programs are:
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Becoming pilots before they can drive – High schoolers are earning drone pilot licenses and learning about aviation in flight simulators.
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Inventing musical instruments – Students are merging STEM education with music by 3D printing violins.
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Running their own businesses – Young entrepreneurs are using technology to design products and sell them in student-led marketplaces.
These experiences make learning come alive, helping kids connect to real-world careers and possibilities.
2. Unique Learning Environments Beyond the Classroom
Wouldn’t it be amazing if your child could grow food for their community and learn about science at the same time? Or what if they could strengthen their reading skills with the help of therapy animals?
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Sustainable agriculture in shipping containers – Pittsburgh-area students are growing fresh produce in converted shipping containers, learning about biology, environmental science, and food systems in a hands-on way.
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Reading with baby lambs – Some early literacy programs use therapy animals to create a calming, fun space where kids feel confident practicing reading.
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Coding in libraries – Local libraries aren’t just about books anymore. Many offer robotics workshops, coding classes, and hands-on maker spaces where kids build their own creations.
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Nature-based learning – Community parks and outdoor classrooms give kids the chance to explore the natural world while learning about ecology, conservation, and sustainability.
By blurring the lines between school and the real world, Pittsburgh’s learning ecosystem equips learners for success beyond the classroom.
3. Empowering Educators and Parents
Remake Learning doesn’t just create opportunities for kids—it also provides support for the adults who guide them.
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Professional learning for teachers – Educators get access to workshops, networking, and funding to bring innovative teaching methods into their classrooms.
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Resources for parents and caregivers – Families can discover hands-on learning opportunities through events like Remake Learning Days—a regional festival where kids and parents explore new ways to learn together.
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Funding for bold ideas – With support from The Grable Foundation and other philanthropies, Remake Learning grantmaking opportunities invest in educators who want to experiment with new ways of teaching and engaging students.
Why Learning Ecosystems Matter More Than Ever
The world is changing fast. Many of today’s jobs didn’t exist 20 years ago, and we can only imagine what careers will look like when today’s kids grow up. More than ever, students need an education that prepares them for an unpredictable, rapidly evolving future.
A strong learning ecosystem helps by:
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Connecting kids to real-world experiences – When students learn from local scientists, business owners, artists, and engineers, they see the many paths they can take in life.
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Encouraging lifelong learning – Kids who experience hands-on, curiosity-driven learning are more likely to stay engaged in their education and seek out new knowledge throughout life.
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Building a support network – Learning isn’t just about schools—it’s about the entire community rallying around kids to help them succeed.
Pittsburgh has embraced this mindset, and the results speak for themselves. Our city has become a place where kids don’t just learn in school—they learn everywhere, supported by a web of caring adults and exciting opportunities.
The Future of Learning in Pittsburgh and Beyond
Remake Learning has already transformed education in Pittsburgh, but the work isn’t done. In the coming years, the network will continue to:
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Expand its reach – Ensuring that more schools, organizations, and families are connected.
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Invest in new ideas – Supporting educators who want to push the boundaries of what’s possible in learning.
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Inspire communities worldwide – Sharing Pittsburgh’s success story with others looking to create their own learning ecosystems.
If you’re a parent, teacher, or community leader, you have a place in this movement. Whether it’s attending a Remake Learning Days event, encouraging hands-on learning at home, or supporting innovative programs in your local schools, you can help create a world where learning happens everywhere.
Pittsburgh’s kids aren’t just preparing for the future—they’re shaping it. And that’s something worth celebrating. Want to learn more about how to get involved? Visit remakelearning.org
Photo Credit : Ben Filio for Remake Learning
