For Immediate Release: April 30, 2007
Contact: Robyn Morris, Little Snake Field Office Archaeologist, 970-826-5095

Teacher workshop offers hands-on archaeology experience

CRAIG, Colo. – Educators throughout the region have a unique opportunity this summer to experience classroom-based archaeology.

The national Project Archaeology program, based at Montana State University, is hosting a teacher workshop for upper elementary teachers June 14 and 15 at the Bureau of Land Management’s Little Snake Field Office in Craig, Colo.
“Through this workshop teachers will explore the archaeology of their own region. With the Project Archaeology curriculum they can bring the past to life for their students,” said Crystal Alegria, Project Archaeology Project Coordinator. “Understanding the human past is essential for understanding the present and shaping the future.”
Workshop participants will learn the basics of archaeology and investigate data from a rock shelter site. They will have the chance to explore the ethics of archaeological research, as well as engage in dialogue using the information gained through authentic inquiry.

“Northwestern Colorado has a rich cultural history dating back at least 10,000 years,” said BLM Little Snake Field Office Archaeologist Robyn Morris. “This is a great location to give educators an up-close and personal look at archaeology science at work.”

Project Archaeology is a national network of archaeologists, educators, and concerned citizens working to make archaeology education accessible to students and teachers nationwide through high-quality educational materials and professional development. This not-for-profit educational organization is dedicated to teaching scientific and historical inquiry, cultural understanding, and the importance of protecting our nation’s rich cultural resources.

This community outreach program is possible through funding from Kinder-Morgan Company and El Paso Corporation, as part of the Rockies Express Pipeline and the Wyoming Interstate Company Piceance Basin Expansion Pipeline project.  The teacher training is being conducted as a partnership among the Bureau of Land Management, Metcalf Archaeological Consultants of Eagle, Colo., and Alpine Archaeological Consultants of Montrose, Colo.

The workshop will be based out of the Little Snake Field Office in Craig and run from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. There is no charge for the workshop, although one college credit is available through Utah State University for $30. For registration information contact Crystal Alegria at calegria@montana.edu or (406) 994-6925. For more information on Project Archaeology, log on to http://www.projectarchaeology.org. Teachers who attend this workshop will be eligible to apply for a special field school in August.

-BLM-