Toys for Monkeys Project
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 allow students the opportunity to research, design, and create animal enrichment objects for the resident monkeys of long time collaborating partner, the Buttonwood Park Zoo, as well as Zoo New England.
What is Animal Enrichment?
Efforts to improve the quality of life of captive animals through cognitive and social stimulation
What is the Process to create enrichment?
1. Research Phase
What behaviors do you already see? Where is there a need? Can you brainstorm any possible solutions?
2. Design Phase
How can we design with intent? How will your design improve the lives of captive monkeys? Where is their need for refinement?
3. Construction
What are the steps? What materials are practical and safe? How can you collaborate effectively?
Final Designs
Selects from Norwell and Apponequet Regional High School
For more projects click the link below!
4. Interaction and Play
Does your design do what you expected? What is working? What can be improved?
Honeycomb Feeder (Apponequet HS 2022, at Buttonwood Zoo)
For more videos click the link below!
History
In 2021 and 2022 Handshouse Studio brought Toys for Monkeys to high school students thanks to the support of two Mass Cultural Council STARS residency grants. Handshouse worked 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, virtual field trips to the zoos, 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.
Mission
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.
Both remote or in person, Handshouse is continue working to bring innovative hands-on projects that illuminate history, explore science, and perpetuate the arts to new schools and communities.
Expanding Enrichment Programs to Your District
A new group of participants from the Boston Prep Charter School joined the Toys for Monkeys project in collaboration with Handshouse and the Franklin Park Zoo. This unique Handshouse collaboration effectively enriches the lives of many species, human and non-human, who are living together in a shared home at a complex time.