Eleanor M. King

In this two-part workshop, hosted by an archaeological project in Northern Belize, students and teachers from six local Belizean secondary schools join facilitators from the continental United States, Puerto Rico, and Belize to explore the nature and purpose of archaeology. The first part brings eighth- and ninth-graders from three local schools to a Maya site and an archaeological field laboratory to discover how archaeologists learn about the past. Hands-on activities allow students to experience archaeology as a collaborative, interdisciplinary science that uses a variety of approaches. The second part of the workshop takes researchers from the archaeological project to speak about archaeology and related careers to various grades in the same schools as well as in three other schools. Through age-appropriate discussions and activities, students explore the kind of work done by archaeologists and other heritage professionals (e.g., museum curators, guides). Activities in both parts of the workshop are linked to national Belizean curriculum learning outcomes for social studies and other subjects, reinforcing their relevance to student learning. The archaeological lessons also emphasize the importance of cultural stewardship, or protecting and preserving the past for the future, with the intent of inspiring the next Belizean generation of protectors.