Paideia 2025

Welcome To Paideia—Reed’s Annual Festival Of Learning!

Paideia is your chance to learn something new—and share what you know. Take over the classroom and plunge into a subject you’re passionate about, from the history of punk to the manufacture of chalk to Bollywood dance.

The Greek word Paideia (Παιδεία) is difficult to translate, but denotes education in its broadest sense. For the ancient Greeks, this included philosophy, poetry, mathematics, physics, rhetoric, gymnastics, music, and medicine. At Reed, Paideia is a weeklong festival that takes place every January when students become teachers. The festival features hundreds of hands-on workshops led by students (plus some by alumni, staff, and professors) that are open to the entire Reed community. 

When and Where

Paideia 2025 will take place from Saturday, January 18, to Sunday, January 26, 2025. Paideia will be held in-person and virtually this year.

Schedule

The Paideia 2025 schedule will be published on events.reed.edu in early January 2025.

How Do I Sign Up To Teach A Class?

Classes can be on any topic you can imagine. They can be fun, silly, serious, informative, and more. Below are a few classes that were offered during Paideia 2024. 

  • Art of Origami
  • Embroidery 101
  • Dyeing with Lichens
  • The Art of Pokemon Battling
  • Zine Making Workshop
  • Show Me How You Burlesque
  • Reed College Survivor: Season 2
  • Game Engine Design
  • Reed Lightsaber Academy
  • Speculative Evolution: Biology and Art
  • The Art and Sport of Fencing

The Paideia 2025 application form will open in mid-October. 

COVID-19 Protocol

  • Although masking is not required, instructors have the discretion to require attendees to wear a mask to their in-person session(s).
  • Alumni will be able to attend and teach on campus.
  • Non-Reed community members are permitted to attend Paideia as long as they are accompanied by a Reed community member (student, staff, faculty, and alumni). 
  • All attendees will be required to follow the regulations set in Reed College’s COVID-19 Prevention & Response Plan