On this page I discusses the design of an intergenerational structure for the educational pilot of the Hitchhikers.Earth project. The aim is to create a robust framework that fosters diverse participation—spanning students, school staff, university collaborators, families, and community members—while ensuring safety, stewardship, and compliance with school requirements and external partners.
# Questions
> How could we structure a safe, innovative intergenerational learning ecosystem, bridging students, families, schools, and experts worldwide?
> How can we use the narrative elements of "embassies" and the "Babelfish" to foster collaboration, safety, and mutual understanding across age groups and cultures
# Intergenerational Collaboration: The Vision The goal of Hitchhikers.Earth is to bring together the unique perspectives of people across different generations and communities. The project values: - **A diversity of viewpoints**—enabling participants from varied backgrounds, ages, and expertise to engage in dialogue and collaboration; - **Respect for original voices**—maintaining the authenticity of each contributor’s input; and - **Ecological richness of perspective**—creating an environment where different ideas can interact and flourish. However, this must be accomplished in a way that *guarantees safety and structure*, particularly when working with minors.
# School-based Pilot Scenarios The pilot is being designed around a specific example: a secondary school in Ohio, involving 17- to 18-year-old students (the equivalent of sixth form or Year 13 in the UK). - The potential exists to extend downward, inviting participation from younger students (e.g., 8- and 12-year-olds in primary school). - The framework also contemplates extending upward, engaging university students like those at the famous design school in Dessau, Germany Bauhaus Dessau. - The model envisages incorporating *parents and family friends*, who may wish to participate in or support their children's work within the pilot. Central to all of this are the **teachers**, who have a crucial responsibility to maintain safe boundaries by ensuring that only appropriate, vetted adults interact with students.
# Safety, Oversight, and External Partners It is a fundamental requirement that safety, proper governance, and documentation be maintained, not just for the benefit of students and schools, but also to satisfy the requirements of sponsors and technical partners who demand formal assurances and robust processes.
# Structure and Tooling
This structure—anchored by **embassies** as governance and translation hubs, and enhanced by the **Babelfish** AI tool—lays the groundwork for safe, rich intergenerational and interdisciplinary engagement in the Hitchhikers.Earth educational pilot.
It aims to foster global collaboration between schools, universities, families, and communities—all while ensuring rigorous safety and stewardship.