Q. How many people take part?

A. In the eleven years that it has existed the Flat Stanley Project has had hundreds of thousands of students from 47 countries taking part. There are usually around 6000 classes taking part each year.

Q. Is there a cost to become involved?

A. The Flat Stanley Project is free.  The only expenses are in postage.  If you use smaller envelopes, they still cost only as much as a regular letter as long as they don't weigh too much.  If you take part via e-mail, you don't even have to pay for stamps!

Q. How does my class get on the List of Participants?

A. The answer to this and many other questions are all found on the Flat Stanley site.  BE SURE to read through the site before applying.  There is a lot of information, it's true, but it is worth knowing.  I feel that people who won't even make the effort to read through the site probably won't make the commitment to take part responsibly.  Because this is a collaborative project it is important that all members are prepared to make a good effort.  It is a wonderful activity with many benefits to the students but it can be a lot of work, too.

Q. How do I get taken off the List of Participants when I don't want to do this anymore?

A. A new feature has been added.  Every 8 weeks all members will receive an automated note asking if they would like to remain on the List of Participants or be removed.  If you do not reply, you will be removed two weeks later.  If you would like to stay on the list, go to your class on the List of Participants and login.  The username and password will be provided in the renewal note you receive.  Simply login and logout and you will be able to take part for another 8 weeks.  These 8 week reminders should keep this list updated.  This is a wonderful improvement because in previous years some people have remained on the list even though they are no longer taking part.

Q. Do we make one Flat Stanley per class or does each student make one?

A. That depends on the teacher and the students. Some classes might make only one and send it out, while other teachers would have each student, or small groups of students, make Flat Stanleys.  It's up to you.  One of the great things about the Flat Stanley Project is that it can be- it should be- adapted by the teachers and students who use it to best suit their interests and strengths.

Q. How many should we make and mail?

A. Unfortunately, Flat Stanleys get lost, so it's best to send out several.

Q. Can I send a Flat Stanley to anyone on the List of Participants?

A. Yes, but be sure to send an e-mail first and wait for the reply.  Some locations, especially exotic ones, get overwhelmed.  A school in France had 120 Flat Stanleys visiting at one time!  Many senders did not ask before sending and the school in France eventually asked to be removed from the list.

Q. Do we have to call it Flat Stanley?

A. No. Students often name them after themselves so there are Flat Marys, Flat Calebs and Flat Pats being made and mailed.

Q. Do all the Flat Stanleys we make have to look the same?

A. No. I put a template on the site only because some teachers kept asking for one, but I prefer that students make their own Flat Stanleys. Using a digital camera you can even add a student's face to the traveling Stanley so it looks the person who made it.  Making your own distinctive Flat Stanley is one way to tie in with the arts curriculum.

Q. How long should we keep a visiting Flat Stanley?

A. Try to return Flat Stanley after a few weeks.

Q. I want to send our Flat Stanley to a celebrity.  Do you have addresses of famous people?

A. No, I don't, but many addresses can be found on the Internet.  Another skill that students develop is locating people's addresses.

Q. My principal wants me to take part in activities that highlight technology.  How can the Flat Stanley Project tie in with technology?

A. There are many ways you can use the Flat Stanley Project with technology.  For example:

• students contact and keep in contact with other students using e-mail

• students look up addresses of celebrities and people of interest using search engines

• students take digital pictures of each other and print them out to be used as faces for the Flat Stanleys they send

• students use a scanner to acquire then send a virtual Flat Stanley via e-mail

• students use a paint program to create their own Flat Stanleys

• students communicate with each other using the Bulletin Board or Chat functions on the Flat Stanley site

• students can have their written work and art work published on the Flat Stanley site

• students use a word processor to write their own Flat Stanley stories and adventures

Q. I am a not a teacher but I would like to take part as an individual?  How can I do that?

A. You can, but in a limited way.  Unless you are involved with an accredited institution that will vouch for you and I can check out, I won't let individuals appear on the List of Participants. However, it is OK for you to send me digital pictures of your own Flat Stanleys doing interesting things in interesting places and I will try to find a place for them on the website. Send images and stories to Dale Hubert .

Q. Why won't you let individuals sign up for exchanges?  I am a retired school teacher living in Florida and my husband and I could do interesting things with Flat Stanley.

A. While you probably are a retired female teacher living in Florida, as you said you were in your e-mail, you might also be a 35 year old man in prison in California looking to make inappropriate contact with children.  With e-mail there's no way I can tell for sure.  I am sure I have turned down many worthy individuals but I will continue to do that in the interest of safety for the students who take part. Please consider sending me pictures of your Flat Stanleys to post on the site without taking part in exchanges with children.

Q. I am involved with [name of institution or place of work].  How can we become involved?

A. Contact Dale Hubert to see if you can be involved as a member of an accredited institution.  Be sure to include the full name of the organization, the name of the most senior person, an e-mail address, a complete mailing address, the applicant's name and a telephone number.