Exploring the Past: Archaeology in the Upper Mississippi River Valley

FAIN: ES-50501-13

University of Wisconsin, La Crosse (La Crosse, WI 54601-3742)
Bonnie L. Jancik (Project Director: March 2013 to March 2015)

A three-week summer institute for twenty-five school teachers on archaeological theory and methods as applied to the cultures of the Upper Mississippi River Valley.

This proposed Institute will provide 25 K-12 teachers with three weeks of intense, guided exploration of changing cultural adaptations to the Upper Mississippi Valley over nearly fourteen millennia, and how we learn about such cultures through archaeology. The region's archaeological record tells a fascinating story and also provides an ideal vehicle for exploring how archaeologists move from potsherds and stone tools to insights into how people have lived, adapted to their surroundings, and changed through time. Participants will learn about the nature of the archaeological record through actual excavation and laboratory work and discussion of how we can derive cultural information from material remains. They will also complete individual classroom-implementation projects, and will emerge with content knowledge applicable to a wide range of grade levels, subject areas, geographic regions, and time periods.

Media Coverage

Teachers to explore pre-European cultures during institute at UW-L (Media Coverage)
Publication: UW-La Crosse Campus News
Date: 7/2/2014
Abstract: Promotion for 2014 NEH Summer Institute Exploring the Past
URL: http://http://news.uwlax.edu/teachers-to-explore-pre-european-cultures-during-institute-at-uw-l/

Teachers from across the country embark on a archaeological expedition (Media Coverage)
Author(s):
Publication: WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI
Date: 7/18/2014
Abstract: Local news coverage during 2014 NEH Summer Institute Exploring the Past
URL: http://http://www.wxow.com/story/26057937/2014/07/18/teachers-from-across-the-country-embark-on-a-archaeological-expedition

Finding archaeological tools for K-12 education (Media Coverage)
Publication: UW-La Crosse Campus News
Date: 7/29/2014
Abstract: Article about 2014 NEH Summer Institute Exploring the Past
URL: http://http://news.uwlax.edu/finding-archaeological-tools-for-k-12-education/

Summer Teachers' Institute a Success (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Kathy Stevenson
Publication: Archaeology News
Date: 9/30/2014
Abstract: Overview of MVAC’s 2014 NEH Summer Institute for Teachers: Exploring the Past.
URL: http://mvac.uwlax.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/ArchNewsSept-2014.pdf