A free event for all ages showcasing science, innovation, math, and creativity, the Bright Ideas festival returns to High Meadow for its fifth year.
For a single day, the High Meadow campus transforms into a free, interactive science museum, providing families from across the Hudson Valley with hands-on activities packed into every square inch.
This year's theme is Circularity, featuring special guest Rondout Repair Cafe, a LEGO Spike building room, *Fun*ctional Playgound, Zero Waste Popup by Second Nature Refillery, and many other attractions.
"Our last Bright Ideas Festival was held before COVID, in 2019," says lead organizer Chris Maddern. "Our goal this year is to reintroduce our signature public event to a community that has changed quite a bit in that time. We hope those who’ve attended in the past will return, and we can’t wait to introduce Bright Ideas to new folks from the Hudson Valley, New York City, and everywhere in between.”
To inspire and celebrate the importance of creative problem-solving and invention, each year we form new partnerships with the members of our community who bring hands-on STEAM education to children and families. As part of this year's Circularity theme, Repair Cafe Rondout Valley, sponsored by Sustainable Hudson, will be on site to offer repair services – observe and learn, or participate in making the repairs! Bring your broken watches, bicycles, small electronics, lamps, clothing and textiles, vacuums, clocks, chairs, dolls, stuffed animals, toys, et cetera (just please no gas motors). Special guest James Richardson, a multi-instrumentalist and member of the band MGMT, will also be on hand to repair old guitars.
During the festival, campus tours are available, with High Meadow staff on hand to share more about what our school has to offer.