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 2026 will take place from Saturday, January 17, to Sunday, January 25, 2026. Paideia will be held in-person on the Reed campus and virtually this year.
Schedule
The Paideia 2026 schedule will be posted in January 2026.
Before attending a class, we encourage you to double check the schedule in case there are any last minute location changes or class cancellations.
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 in past years.
- Art of Origami
- Embroidery 101
- Dyeing with Lichens
- The Art of Pokemon Battling
- Zine Making Workshop
- Game Engine Design
- Reed Lightsaber Academy
- Speculative Evolution: Biology and Art
- The Art and Sport of Fencing
All Paideia 2026 applications were due by December 1, 2025 at 11:59 p.m., and the application period is now closed.
Please note:
- 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).
- Although masking is not required, instructors have the discretion to require attendees to wear a mask at their in-person session(s).