Manitos a la obra

APOYOnline’s first intergenerational outreach initiative 

MANITOS A LA OBRA is designed to engage Latino families, especially elementary and middle school students (grades 3-8) and their caregivers, in cultural heritage preservation and careers in conservation and preservation (encompassing STEAM disciplines: science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math) within the arts and humanities. With this two-hour, multilingual (English, Spanish, Portuguese) hands-on workshop, APOYOnline empowers intergenerational audiences to connect with and care for their cultural heritage and family treasures/heirlooms, significantly expanding its community outreach and local impact.

 MANITOS A LA OBRA will have four sections:  

1) A group activity for families to interact, emphasizing exploration and play related to heritage preservation. 

2) Education and awareness where APOYOnline local conservation/preservation professionals and volunteers will introduce the idea of a conservator/preservation specialist and a specific concept related to cultural heritage preservation. This includes  addressing important topics such as the impact of climate change in preservation of cultural heritage, exemplifying–in general terms–the ten agents of deterioration (fire, light, humidity, neglect, pests, physical forces, pollutants, temperature, vandalism, and water).

3) Hands-on activities for the families to do during the workshop and/or to take home, such as: looking at deteriorated objects with magnifiers, having a selection of tools to touch, and/or creating protective enclosures to prevent damage on books. The activities are layered with discussions of how they might keep their own family treasures, such as books and photographs, safe. Families may stay for the entire workshop or for a shorter period of time.

4) In-situ evaluation surveys that will work for both for children and adults: multiple choices/pictures (concepts learn) /smiley faces (experience) / suggestions (mostly for adults)