Last year, our Toys for Monkeys project was developed as a remote-learning workshop to expand on the work of our ongoing 10-year project, Toys for Elephants. These new workshops allowed students the opportunity to research, design, and create animal enrichment objects for the resident monkeys of long time collaborating partner, the Buttonwood Park Zoo. We recognized at the time that this project was absolutely worth further investigation. 

This spring, Handshouse Studio is excited to bring this opportunity to a new age group of participants as we connect with students and educators thanks to the support of two Mass Cultural Council STARS residency grants, Handshouse is working with Art teacher, Krista Lima, and her students at Apponequet Regional High School as well as Technology teacher, Ross Kawalski and his students at Norwell High School. Through remote presentations, design discussions, and collaborative group workshop sessions we are connecting these students with project partners at The Buttonwood Park Zoo in New Bedford and ZOO New England: Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo.

Through this unique remote hands-on curriculum, animal keepers from each participating zoo are joining us with classes at the Apponequet Regional High School and Norwell High School to present information about their exhibits and the monkey species in their care. Following their virtual visits, students have been undergoing a four part process: research, design, construction, and observation toward creating their own unique enrichment objects designed specifically for their “clients.” The final designs they create will be given to their participating animal keepers to present to their various monkey species at each zoo. Videos of the toys in action will be shared with the students and their communities, and added to the growing archive of research materials Handshouse is creating for future Toys for Monkeys classes.

Real life, hands-on projects like Handshouse Studio’s Toys for Monkeys project grant meaningful experiences to students and aid in numerous aspects of their development. There is an incredible capacity within these workshops to spark new passions and interests for students, and to inspire them to join in on or create other impactful projects which help their communities. While designing and building objects to enrich the lives of monkeys in their local zoos, students engage in a relevant real-world initiative: contributing to a global discussion about human impact, our responsibility to animals, and to our shared environment. They realize that their efforts can positively influence the lives of real animals trapped within a complex global issue, and are encouraged to become more aware, proactive, and inventive caretakers of our world.

Students at both high schools spent the spring learning about different forms of enrichment from keepers at each zoo, designing and applying what they learned, and building creative toys that were delivered to the zoo in May. The monkey clients and their care team have had a chance to play with the toys and evaluate the many successful designs. Testing is a big part of the learning process with some toys needing slight adjustment or re-design. Each toy is a prototype. Through testing students gain insights that help inform future toys while providing a variety of enrichment for these animal ambassadors. 

Whether remote or in person, Handshouse will continue working to bring innovative hands-on projects that illuminate history, explore science, and perpetuate the arts to our schools and communities. And find ways to share them with you!