A new festival this spring in Kansas City will showcase the future of learning as kids and their families explore events and activities in both familiar and surprising places and spaces.
Spearheaded by organizations dedicated to equitable, hands-on learning, Remake Learning Days-Kansas City on May 1-10 will bring together dozens of engaging free or low-cost educational experiences for kids to explore with their parents or caregivers. These activities include a mix of virtual and in-person events at locations across the region.
The festival is part of this year’s slate of Remake Learning Days Across America in 17 regions, an expansion of the Pittsburgh-founded Remake Learning Days established in 2016 to showcase innovative, connected learning events.
“We’re so excited to introduce Remake Learning Days to Kansas City. It’s a wonderful opportunity to showcase the innovations we’re seeing in schools, libraries, after-school programs and cultural institutions,” said Ann Zimmerman, who coordinates the region’s STEM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) learning ecosystem on behalf of the KC STEM Alliance. “And the business community is also jumping in with activities that can spark curiosity about the future of work, giving families a way to explore potential education and career pathways together.”
For example, scientists at The Stowers Institute for Medical Research will offer free Foldscope kits and activities families can do together to learn about the micro-world around them. Burns & McDonnell will offer high school students a glimpse into career opportunities in engineering during a virtual open house.
Younger kids can enjoy a mini water festival hosted by StoneLion Puppet Theatre with socially distanced STEAM games and Mathapalooza in the Park.
An emphasis on equitable access is at the heart of Remake Learning Days and Zimmerman notes that the festival is an opportunity to highlight and celebrate the work already happening while increasing awareness and access to families who may be missing out.
“In addition to well-known favorites, Kansas City has many small nonprofit organizations with really innovative programming that may not often be in the spotlight,” she said. “Remake Learning Days is a way to connect and celebrate all of these experiences and to encourage kids and families to keep exploring new interests and opportunities.”
Because Kansas City is launching its first-ever Remake Learning Days in the uncertain environment of a pandemic, organizers also have focused on meeting kids where they are, working with networks of afterschool providers, school districts and libraries to offer activities and events throughout the 10-day festival.
“It’s been a long and trying year for so many in our community,” Zimmerman said. “Our hope is to bring back some joy by creating and learning together.”
Families can explore all of the Remake Learning Days activities by visiting www.remakelearningdays.org/kansascity, where they will find events organized by six learning themes: Science, Technology, Outdoor Learning, Maker, Arts and Youth Voice.
Stay tuned as we highlight some special community-wide opportunities over the next few weeks!