Since 2021, Remake Learning has fueled more than 80 Moonshot ideas, investing over $4 million in bold, transformative projects that are shaping the future of teaching and learning across the greater Pittsburgh region, southwestern Pennsylvania, and northern West Virginia.
Today, we’re excited to announce the latest Moonshot Grants. Out of 109 applications, this round highlights a remarkable lineup of innovative, forward-thinking projects, each with the power to inspire change. This round focused on sparking initiatives aligned with the priorities of Remake Learning’s Working Groups: STEAM Learning, Personalized Learning, and Civic Learning.
Sparking Bright Futures Through STEAM Learning
These projects are helping educators and youth take bold steps today that can spark transformative growth for tomorrow. They are guiding students to chart post-secondary pathways for careers in emerging industries, while building meaningful connections to industry through exposure, shadowing, internships, and mentorship opportunities. At the same time, they are inspiring curiosity and engagement in STEAM for elementary school-aged learners, creating hands-on, real-world experiences that link creativity, problem-solving, and innovation with long-term impact.
These projects are on a mission to:
- Help youth chart post- secondary pathways for careers in emerging industries.
- Build connections to industry through exposure, shadowing, internship, and mentorship opportunities.
- Inspire interest in STEAM for elementary school aged learners.
Tech 25: BPM Starter Packs for WavMakers
Tech 25 is launching BPM Starter Packs, giving students beginner-friendly Ableton tools to create, remix, and explore sound design, expanding access to creative audio technology.
West Allegheny School District: Human-Centered AI as a Pathway to Re-envisioning K-12 Education
West Allegheny School District is uniting students from four districts to use human-centered AI and design thinking, collaborating with CMU mentors to reimagine the future of K–12 education.
Northgate School District: Parents as Allies in the Future
Northgate is launching a Parent STEAM Coach model at Avalon Elementary School, training families as mentors to co-design projects and enrich student learning with diverse expertise and real-world relevance.
Best of the Batch Foundation: STEMpact Entrepreneurs Initiative
Best of the Batch Foundation is expanding hands-on learning with a nine-week program where middle schoolers design startups, guided by mentors and entrepreneurs, to address real-world challenges.
Brentwood Borough School District: Imagination in Motion
Brentwood Borough is partnering educators and arts professionals to design interdisciplinary courses, blending STEM, arts, and global culture into authentic, multi-disciplinary learning experiences.
Carlynton School District: Project HOLO
Carlynton students are using AI and STEAM skills to create 3D holograms, integrating technology, art, and storytelling while exploring careers in emerging industries.
Chance to Change Lives (CCL-US): Unlocking the Final Frontier
CCL-US is engaging students in AI-driven, immersive space science learning with VR/AR simulations, robotics, and personalized pathways to explore careers in the space industry.
Curious Minds Dive Foundation: Dive Into the Future
Curious Minds Dive Foundation is merging scuba certification with STEAM exploration, empowering underrepresented youth to connect hands-on diving with careers in science, engineering, and conservation.
Gwen’s Girls: STEMPowered 4Her Future
Gwen’s Girls is engaging Black girls in STEM through hands-on pathways like wearable tech, robotics, hydroponics, and beauty science, blending creativity, innovation, and career preparation.
Intermediate Unit 1: Cracking Real-World Codes with The Math Vault Challenge
Intermediate Unit 1 is immersing students in STEM through industry-designed, escape-room style challenges at real worksites, connecting math and science learning to authentic career fields.
Avonworth School District: The Aerospace Learning Lab
Avonworth is expanding aviation learning with electives in flight, drones, and ground school, building partnerships with colleges and industry to prepare students for aviation careers.
Old Economy Village: InHarmony
Old Economy Village is blending historic trades with modern innovation, offering hands-on museum-based education that connects craftsmanship, sustainability, and workforce development.
The Citizen Science Lab: 36 Chambers of VR
The Citizen Science Lab and Duquesne University are bringing immersive VR “chambers” to schools and communities, transforming science education into an interactive journey through biology and medicine.
Empowering Growth Through Personalized Learning
These projects are helping educators and students reimagine what learning can look like by taking small, intentional steps that lead to lasting transformation. They are scaling personalized learning practices through the development of infrastructure, partnerships, and resources, while actively involving young people in shaping their own learning experiences. At the same time, they are building learners’ confidence and self-advocacy by tapping into their strengths, interests, and passions, fostering engagement, ownership, and long-term success.
These projects are on a mission to:
- Scale personalized learning practices by developing infrastructure, partnerships, and resources.
- Involve young people in shaping their learning experiences.
- Build confidence and self-advocacy of learners by tapping into their strengths and interests.
Alliance for Refugee Youth Support and Education (ARYSE): The ARYSE Storytellers
ARYSE is supporting immigrant and refugee youth in creating podcasts, films, and digital media that are sharing personal stories and building community voice in the Pittsburgh region.
Beaver Area School District: Beaver County Borderless Beanery
Beaver Area School District and partner districts are launching a student-run mobile coffee truck, giving students real-world, work-based learning while building community across Beaver County.
California Area School District: The Village Transcript
California Area School District is reimagining high school transcripts, expanding beyond grades to measure skills, growth, and contributions that reflect each student’s full potential.
Clairton City School District: Entrepreneurship in Action
Clairton City School District students are creating “mini communities,” running businesses, governments, and services that bring math, literacy, and civics to life through authentic, hands-on learning.
Rivers of Steel Heritage Corporation: Embrace Your Place
Rivers of Steel Heritage Corporation is partnering with Baldwin High School to help students document local culture and identity through project-based history, ethnography, and exhibition work.
WQED: The Learning Locker!
WQED is partnering with Pittsburgh Public Schools and the University of Pittsburgh to launch a digital “vending machine” delivering personalized learning and social-emotional resources for young children.
Burrell School District – Huston Middle School: A Future-Ready Learning Hub
Huston Middle School is transforming into a hub for personalized, real-world learning with student-led projects, industry partnerships, and micro-apprenticeships.
Elizabeth Forward School District: The RENE Project
Elizabeth Forward is reimagining core subjects by replacing traditional courses with narrative-driven, cross-curricular experiences that bring new energy and engagement.
Local X Change: Redux
Local X Change is uniting educators to create experiential, multi-disciplinary learning where students envision new futures and explore them through an interactive time-machine.
Open Up: Open Connections
Open Up is launching internships, training high school students as certified wellness instructors and shifting wellness leadership into students’ hands.
Hampton Township School District: FutureShift
Hampton Township School District is reimagining instructional coaching to amplify student voice, empowering teachers and learners to co-create engaging, learner-centered experiences.
The Legacy Arts Project: Roots in Motion
The Legacy Arts Project is developing a youth artist program combining mentorship, Africana traditions, and leadership training to prepare young people as artists and future arts leaders.
Ruach Cycling Lab: Bicycling from Concept to Construction
Ruach Cycling Lab is engaging students in BMX track design and construction, blending physical activity, confidence building, and real-world design skills with virtual modeling tools.
Shaping Tomorrow Through Civic Learning
These projects are creating ways for young people to engage deeply with their communities and take an active role in shaping the world around them. They are broadening the scope of civic learning to include meaningful community engagement, while creating hands-on, real-life opportunities through cross-sector collaboration. At the same time, they are fostering authentic and impactful leadership experiences, helping learners build the skills, confidence, and agency to make a difference today and in the future.
These projects are on a mission to:
- Broaden the scope of civic learning to include meaningful community engagement.
- Create impactful opportunities for real-life, hands- on civic learning through cross-sector collaboration.
- Create authentic and meaningful leadership opportunities for learners.
Trinity Area School District: It Takes a Village
Trinity Area School District is bringing together community members, educators, and students to strengthen the educator pipeline and deepen civic engagement through a three-pronged model.
Block Chronicles: MKR CITY
Block Chronicles is using immersive technology and storytelling to connect young people, families, educators, and artists across cultures.
Youth Enrichment Services: Pittsburgh is a Place for Us
Youth Enrichment Services is launching youth-led civic leadership training for K-8 students, fostering peer engagement and community revitalization.
Involvemint Inc.: Waste to Wealth
Involvemint Inc. is turning food waste into ecological, economic, and educational value through a circular learning ecosystem at Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship.
West Virginia Civic Education Foundation: Generations in Action
West Virginia Civic Education Foundation is guiding students through inquiry-based civic learning, transforming classrooms into places where government is experienced firsthand.
Upper St. Clair School District: Panther Pack
Upper St. Clair School District is engaging students, families, and teachers in the Panther Pack, using surveys and projects to strengthen belonging, agency, and student-driven civic engagement.
LIGHT Education Initiative: Hands-on Humanities
LIGHT Education Initiative is applying adaptive reuse to schools and systems, creating shared programs, spaces, and partnerships that are inspiring creative problem-solving across Allegheny County.
Shaler Area School District: Greenprint 2035
Shaler Area School District is building a student-led Sustainability Innovation Hub, empowering youth to lead interdisciplinary projects that are driving environmental action in their community.
The Women and Girls Foundation of SWPA: Think Globally, Act Locally
The Women and Girls Foundation is making civics concepts come to life in powerful, hands-on ways by taking civics out of the textbook and into the community.
The Reading Room Pittsburgh, Inc.: Literacy as Leadership
The Reading Room Pittsburgh is transforming literacy into a tool for leadership and advocacy, helping children use books to explore civic life, STEM, and lifelong learning.
Congratulations to all of our Spring 2025 Moonshot Grant recipients! We also extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who applied. Your bold ideas are helping shape the future of learning. Stay tuned as these projects take flight over the coming year, and be sure to subscribe to the Remake Learning newsletter for the latest updates and stories from the frontlines of innovation.
Moonshot Grants is made possible by The Grable Foundation.
