Beyond Thrilled

Imagine for a moment your student saying, “This is the first time that I have learned about the history of my own ancestors in school.” Can you feel the empowerment behind that statement? Learning about the past–their own past–affects the way students see themselves and their future. When students learn about their history and the stories of other cultures through archaeological inquiry, a world of critical thinking and deep cultural understanding opens

For more than 35 years, we have worked tirelessly to support hardworking teachers implement inquiry-based curriculum and lesson plans providing powerful experiences. This year the Society for American Archaeology (SAA) honored us with the Excellence in Public Archaeology Programming Award. We are beyond thrilled, because it means awareness of our program can only grow.

Project Archaeology has previously been recognized for our outstanding work. Our first SAA award was the Excellence in Public Education in 2010. Last year, one of the founders of the program, Jeanne Moe, received the SAA’s Distinguished Achievement in Public Archaeology Award. Before SAA recognition, the National Council for the Social Studies endorsed a Project Archaeology curriculum in 2008. In 2011, the Secretary of the Interior honored us with the prestigious  Partners in Conservation award. In 2015, the Montana State Historic Preservation Office presented the Montana Project Archaeology program with the Annual Historic Preservation Award.

Project Archaeology materials are unique, designed to fit within existing classroom requirements while using authentic data and oral histories. Students construct their own knowledge and teachers facilitate learning. Ethics, citizenship, civic engagement, and stewardship are woven throughout the materials and instruction. All curricula are produced with the collaborative aid of archaeologists, descendant community representatives, historic preservation professions, as well as classroom and nonformal educators, and volunteers. Since 1990, Project Archaeology has hosted more than 1,000 professional events in 34 states. As of 2024, we have reached 20,105 educators and are still counting! They in turn reach more than 400,000 learners annually.

We thank our donors, sponsors, and volunteers, and mostly our teachers who implement Project Archaeology curricula nationwide and transform their students into independent learners and future guardians of our shared cultural heritage education.

“When I moved into my Columbus/American Colonies unit this week, I put up a timeline and showed when Columbus ‘discovered’ America. I asked, ‘Does anyone have any objection to this framing? Do we know of anything that was already going on here before the 1400s?’ Hands started going up, and people started getting angry! I heard people whispering ‘Freemont people’ and ‘Pithouse’ to their partners and thought ‘SUCCESS!’” - Middle school teacher, Chicago Public Schools, IL

“I had a rough school year and this has been extremely powerful for me. The content is

incredible, but the inspirational and motivating impact this has had is so important. I am falling in love with my content again. This has been the best professional development I have attended. Thank you!” - Teacher, Oregon

POST BY:  Molly E. Larsen, undergraduate student, Southern Utah University