Logo image
Cemeteries as classrooms: Making archaeology education relevant, accessible, and sustainable
Thesis   Open access

Cemeteries as classrooms: Making archaeology education relevant, accessible, and sustainable

Rachel Louise Hines
University of West Florida
Master of Arts (MA), University of West Florida
2020
Appears in  FPAN Theses

Metrics

16 File views/ downloads
84 Record Views

Abstract

Despite promoting K-12 education initiatives for decades, public archaeologists struggle to reach precollegiate audiences due to archaeology's absence in curriculum standards, a lack of qualified archaeology educators, and barriers within the school system. To investigate replicable and accessible methods of archaeology education and to better understand teacher needs and motivations, I created lesson plans which engage high school students in recording and researching historic cemeteries. Hands-on efforts are often excavation-based and limited by access to professional archaeologists; however, cemetery recording is nondestructive and offers students a chance to participate in project-based learning. Four educators from Santa Rosa County taught the materials to nine classes in Fall 2019 while I evaluated the lessons through surveys, guided observations, and summative interviews. The materials were revised based on results to ensure they are useful and useable. Every participant indicated the lessons are user-friendly, relevant, and meaningful. Administrative support, passionate teachers, and carefully crafted lessons contributed to programmatic success, indicating collaborative efforts from archaeological and educational professionals can produce hands-on archaeology programming that is mutually rewarding.
pdf
Cemeteries as classrooms17.23 MBDownloadView
Published (Version of record)Thesis pdf Open Access

Details

Logo image