Integrating Archaeology and Environmental Education to Strengthen a Place-Based Curriculum

Summary

The practice of archaeology involves studying human adaptation to the natural world by using the environment as a vehicle for the development of knowledge. Archaeology education has strong parallels and intersections with the well-established field of Environmental Education (EE); yet, it is both widely acknowledged that cultural history is one of the weaker components of EE, and many archaeology educators are likewise unfamiliar with EE. In 2016, archaeologists from University of Iowa Office of the State Archaeologist partnered with staff from the University of Iowa School of the Wild, a week-long EE experience for area schools, to create a curricular unit that integrates archaeology and cultural history with EE. Pre- and post-test assessments during the pilot year yielded promising results for using EE as a tool to promote archaeological and environmental stewardship. Additionally, research on Significant Life Experiences in EE is explored in relation to the preservation of cultural resources.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 83rd Annual Meeting, Washington, DC (2018)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 18753