Participating in Our Projects /
There are several categories of participants in Handshouse Projects:
Faculty or professionals who may act as Leaders.
Participants who are associated with collaborating institutions such as students and alumni.
The general public who are interested in the project's subject matter and may be considered students.
Observers who document the project.
Since the goal is to discover, everyone — including leaders, teachers, professionals, students and observers — become Learners. All information is analyzed in an open and inclusive environment in which leaders, students and observers can both contribute and receive value.
Who is a student?
Students are generally associated with collaborating institutions that are linked to a Handshouse workshop / project or related to the subject of the project.
Students may also be individuals who are interested in this method of learning, who wish to contribute their particular skills as a learner, and who ask to participate in a particular project.
Students do not receive compensation.
We at Handshouse Studio are regularly approached by interested volunteer /participants from a wide range of interests and background, and we must. select from these requests because of project and space limitations. Handshouse does charge a fee for participation.
Who is a leader?
Leaders can be faculty at the collaborating institutions, experts and professionals.
Leaders work directly with students sharing their knowledge and skills.
Leaders can be compensated (receive a stipend) depending on the project and the funds available.
Leaders can also volunteer their skills if funding is not available because they are interested in the project.
Leaders can be also associated with the collaborating institution and compensated by that institution. Each project is unique and is handled individually.
Handshouse Studio does provide participants with meals throughout the projects so that all participants may focus on the project without leaving Handshouse Studio. This is a very effective way to create unity, teamwork and successful results.
The nature of a Handshouse Studio project is learning by doing through hands-on methods. Through intensive investigation of a single object, doors can be opened to a wide range of related subjects that are generally studied individually. The Handshouse Experience thus can provide an interdisciplinary educational format that links a wide range of subjects including history, science, mathematic, literature, arts, culture and technology, and engineering.
The answers are not fixed or clear and all participants discover solutions through the process. This method of learning is open and not defined or confined by the traditional format of a student - teacher relationship. In this way, Handshouse Studio provides an alternative learning method, which can compliment existing educational program with collaborating educational institutions and organizations.