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Kentucky Heritage Council
National meeting of archaeology educators planned at Shaker Village Oct. 23-26
Kentucky Heritage Council
News Release
Project Archaeology conference October 23-26 to focus on curriculum, accessibility
Release Date Contact: Diane Comer
IMMEDIATE 502-564-7005, ext. 120
October 11, 2006 diane.comer@ky.gov
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Project Archaeology, a national not-for-profit heritage education organization dedicated to teaching scientific and historical inquiry, cultural understanding and the importance of protecting our nation’s rich cultural resources, will present its Ninth Annual Coordinators Conference October 23-26 at Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill.
Established by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management in 1990, Project Archaeology is a network of archaeologists, educators and concerned citizens working to make archaeology education accessible to students and teachers nationwide through high-quality educational materials, hands-on learning and professional development. During the annual meeting, individuals from throughout the United States and the District of Columbia will meet to discuss current issues in archaeology education, evaluate and revise new Project Archaeology lessons and plan for new ones. In addition, state coordinators will share news about their state programs.
Nationally recognized history education researcher Dr. Linda S. Levstik, professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Kentucky, will lead a discussion about her new book, Teaching History for the Common Good, which she authored with Dr. Keith C. Barton, professor in the Division of Teacher Education at the University of Cincinnati. The book was published in 2004 by Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc., Mahwah, New Jersey.
In addition to meetings, conference attendees will tour archaeological sites in central Kentucky that focus on archaeology education, including Shaker Village, site of more than 10 years of archaeological research. The tour will be led by Dr. Kim A. McBride, co-director of the Kentucky Archaeological Survey (KAS), a joint program of the Kentucky Heritage Council / State Historic Preservation Office and the University of Kentucky Department of Anthropology. Dr. W. Stephen McBride, Director of Archaeology and Interpretation at Camp Nelson Civil War Heritage Park in Jessamine County, also on KAS staff, will introduce conference attendees to archaeological research at Camp Nelson, where archaeological research and education are ongoing.
“The Kentucky Archaeological Survey sponsors workshops for Kentucky teachers once or twice a year, so we were very interested in hosting this national Project Archaeology meeting and showcasing some of the important work going on in Kentucky,” said Dr. A. Gwynn Henderson, KAS education coordinator. “On the national level, we are working closely with Project Archaeology to do what we can to encourage schools to incorporate archaeology within the Kentucky school curriculum, since everything we do dovetails with so many aspects of history, science and mathematics.”
Funds to support the conference were secured from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Kentucky Heritage Council, the Kentucky Archaeological Survey, and the Bureau of Land Management and Montana State University, joint sponsors of National Project Archaeology, are hosting this year’s conference.
Project Archaeology is available through professional development taught by qualified teams of educators and archaeologists. For more information on Project Archaeology in Kentucky, call Dr. Henderson at KAS, 859-257-1944.
More information about the Kentucky Archaeological Survey is available at the Heritage Council Web site, www.heritage.ky.gov.
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An agency of the Kentucky Commerce Cabinet, the Kentucky Heritage Council / State Historic Preservation Office is responsible for the identification, protection and preservation of historic and cultural resources throughout the Commonwealth, in partnership with other state and federal agencies, local communities and interested citizens. This mission is integral to making communities more livable and has a far-ranging impact on issues as diverse as economic development, jobs creation, affordable housing, tourism, community revitalization, environmental conservation and quality of life. www.heritage.ky.gov
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