A Headset for Every Mindset
Mat Bevel Company is developing a new educational program called “A Headset for Every Mindset” that helps students in grades 3-8 build greater awareness, imagination, dexterity and problem-solving skills.
The program uses the inspiring work of Mat Bevel Company President Ned Schaper—his kinetic art museum, science theater and new media arts format—and his Available Resource Technology (A.R.T.) creative training techniques.
Students in grades K-8 from the greater Tucson area are eligible to participate in a series of workshops at Miles Exploratory Learning Center in Tucson. Workshops blend the artist’s hands-on instruction with his digital storytelling format.
The workshop offers a modern day experience of an ancient mask-making tradition. Students create unique headgear—hats, helmets and masks—from recycled corrugated cardboard strips, magazines and wrapping paper.
During workshops, pre-taped Surrealistic Pop Science Theater vignettes bring students into the magical world of Beveldom, a “lost land of found objects” with nearly one hundred animated found-object sculptures. Host Mat Bevel and a large cast of positive characters from the theater—all played by Schaper and his many mechanical puppets—teach students about resourcefulness, conservation, sustainability, recycling and intuitive engineering.
Workshops will be videotaped and edited to become part of “A Headset for Every Mindset,” a new digital storytelling and learning program distributed to teachers and students around the country.
Workshop cost is $20 per child plus one adult. Participants are admitted free to one ‘Kinetic Saturdays’ event at the Museum Of Kinetic Art during on the first Saturday of each month from October 2017 through April 2018. Upon completion of their found-object headgear sculpture, students will receive an A.R.T. certificate and a bookmark containing the 12 principles of A.R.T.
Project partner is Miles Exploratory Learning Center, a special site that provides educational services for K-8 students.
For More Information Contact: Paula Schaper, Mat Bevel Company, 520-604-6273, pschaper@matbevelcompany.org, www.matbevelcompany.org.