EDUCATION AT CROW CANYON

Humans and the Environment

We study how humans responded to environmental change in the past and the implications for environmental policy.

Multivocal Histories

We promote respect for different cultures and preserve traditional knowledge, past and present.

Cultural and Scientific Literacy

As a social science with deep roots in STEM, archaeology helps students become critical thinkers and lifelong learners.

Principles that Guide Our Work

• • Archaeological research and Indigenous perspectives are essential to build a more inclusive story of the human past.
  • Curiosity, experience, and reflection form the foundation for meaningful learning.
  • Archaeology is a multidisciplinary field.
    The learning environment should engage students in critical thinking and promote respect for culture, the environment, and each other.

Crow Canyon’s educational philosophy uses experiential, student-centered education methods to engage learners of all ages in an inclusive and dynamic study of the human past. We strive to develop engaging curricula, teach about past and present cultures of the Southwest, investigate student learning, and communicate the Center’s educational methods and theories to others. Our work is guided by a respect for, and is conducted in collaboration with, Native Americans. Archaeology, education, applied anthropology, and Indigenous studies provide the academic foundation for Crow Canyon programs.

Crow Canyon’s experiential education programs not only provide instruction in archaeology, but also involve citizen scientists in the actual research process. This firsthand approach increases awareness of, and appreciation for, our rich cultural heritage, while providing broad-based support for archaeological research and preservation. Through Crow Canyon’s programs, students of all ages gain an understanding of culture, American Indian history, archaeological research, human interaction with the environment, and the importance of cultural continuity.

Educators at Crow Canyon have academic and professional backgrounds in education, archaeology, anthropology, museum studies, and American Indian studies. We collaborate with archaeologists and American Indians to develop educational programs that engage both children and adults. Curricula and lesson plans emphasize an experiential approach to learning and draw upon the results of Crow Canyon’s archaeological research into the Ancestral Pueblo people of the Mesa Verde region.