Building a Stronger Network: assessing and reconfiguring a national archaeology curricula delivery program

Summary

This is an abstract from the "Archaeology Education: Building a Research Base" session, at the 84th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Project Archaeology, a national archaeology education program, relies on a diverse network of educators, museum professionals, and archaeologists certified as Master Teachers. Master Teachers provide nationwide professional development on the implementation of Project Archaeology’s curricula. Master Teachers are trained through a weeklong program in Bozeman, Montana, called Project Archaeology Leadership Academy (PALA). The application process for PALA is highly competitive and participants receive food, lodging, and a travel stipend to attend. In return, participants agree to employ a good-faith effort to offer professional development once a year for four years. Offering professional development helps fulfill Project Archaeology’s mission, distributes high-quality archaeology educational materials, and ensures the sustainability of the organization. In 2018, a voluntary survey was conducted of participants from every PALA class. The survey evaluated programmatic effectiveness, strengths, weaknesses, and inquired about any suggested changes. The results will be used to make modifications to the application process, training procedures, graduate incentives, and support offered to graduates. These changes will help ensure that Project Archaeology is as effective and efficient as possible while remaining on the forefront of archaeology education.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Archaeology Education: Building a Research Base   •
• Society for American Archaeology 84th Annual Meeting, Albuquerque, NM (2019)

Keywords

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 25753