Remake Learning Network

Remake Learning Network
Name	Remake Learning Network
Type	Nonprofit network
Founded	2010s
Headquarters	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Region served	Mid-Atlantic, Appalachian region, United States
Focus	Learning innovation, youth media, maker education, digital literacy

Remake Learning Network is a regional coalition that connects education technology practitioners, nonprofit organizations, informal learning institutions, and community stakeholders to reimagine youth learning across the Mid-Atlantic and Appalachian United States. The Network organizes convenings, provides grant support, and curates professional development for educators and partners in urban and rural contexts such as Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Westmoreland County, and neighboring states. It engages institutions ranging from Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh to local libraries, museums, and media labs to promote hands-on, project-based approaches.

History

The Network emerged in the early 2010s amid efforts tied to civic and cultural redevelopment initiatives in Pittsburgh and regional revitalization strategies influenced by philanthropic actors such as the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the Heinz Endowments. Founding activity intersected with movements in maker culture promoted by venues like the Maker Faire and organizations including the Maker Education Initiative and Fab Lab networks. Early collaborators included learning institutions and cultural organizations such as the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, and local public media like WQED (TV) and WESA (FM). The history of the coalition reflects broader trends in out-of-school learning visible in initiatives connected to the MacArthur Foundation’s interest in digital media and learning and federal conversations involving the U.S. Department of Education around community partnerships.

Mission and Programs

The Network's mission emphasizes learner-centered innovation, equitable access to creative technologies, and community-responsive programming. Programs align with professional learning pathways promoted by organizations such as Digital Promise, Harvard Graduate School of Education, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Signature program types include maker-centered workshops akin to STEAM initiatives, media literacy projects similar to efforts by PBS Digital Studios partners, and youth workforce-readiness efforts comparable to Year Up and Job Corps models. The Network also supports teacher professional development influenced by standards and frameworks from entities like ISTE and curriculum design practices seen at High Tech High.

Organizational Structure and Membership

The Network operates as a distributed membership consortium with a coordinating backbone housed in a regional office affiliated with civic partners such as The Pittsburgh Foundation and anchor institutions like Carnegie Mellon University and University of Pittsburgh. Membership spans public school districts including Pittsburgh Public Schools, public libraries such as the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, museums, makerspaces, afterschool providers, and grassroots organizations. Governance involves an executive team, advisory board, and regional hub coordinators drawing expertise from leaders associated with National Lab Network, Afterschool Alliance, and local philanthropic trustees from entities like the Benedum Foundation.

Partnerships and Funding

Funding and partnerships combine foundation grants, corporate philanthropy, and government program support from sources that mirror grantmakers such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Deutsche Bank Americas Foundation, and regional trusts like the Heinz Endowments. Corporate partners and technology donors have included firms with regional presences comparable to Google, Microsoft, and Intel in collaborative initiatives. Programmatic partnerships reach national networks like Museums for America, youth development coalitions such as Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and media collaborators similar to PBS and NPR local stations. The Network leverages project funding models used by initiatives like Collective Impact and cooperative agreements resembling those of the National Science Foundation’s informal science programs.

Impact and Evaluation

Evaluation practices draw on mixed-methods approaches used by education researchers at institutions such as RAND Corporation, SRI International, and university research centers at Carnegie Mellon University and University of Pittsburgh. Impact reporting highlights metrics related to youth engagement, teacher practice, and community capacity building, with outcomes compared to benchmarks seen in studies by Harvard Graduate School of Education and Chicago Consortium on School Research. Independent evaluations have examined program scalability and equity outcomes similar to analyses produced for Digital Promise and the Annenberg Institute. The Network publishes case studies and shares learning at conferences akin to SXSW EDU, ISTE Conference, and regional symposia hosted by cultural partners.

Notable Projects and Regional Hubs

Notable projects include maker-focused learning series, youth media labs, and rural outreach programs operating through regional hubs in metropolitan and Appalachian communities. Project types echo initiatives run by The Sprout Fund, youth journalism programs similar to Youth Radio, and makerspace collaborations modeled after TechShop and university innovation hubs such as Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center partnerships. Regional hubs collaborate with local arts organizations like Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, science venues like the Carnegie Science Center, and county agencies to deliver place-based learning experiences. The Network’s convenings and showcases have been featured alongside national events such as Maker Faire Bay Area and professional gatherings including American Library Association conferences.

Category:Educational networks in the United States