Colorado Archaeology in the Classroom Kits

Program Contact

Jim Hakala

Senior Educator

james.hakala@colorado.edu

303.492.4458

The Colorado Archaeology in the Classroom project, modeled after the Fossils in the Classroom project, provides hands-on resources on archaeology to teachers and students throughout Colorado. This project provides classroom kits featuring hands-on artifacts and casts, standards-based curriculum, in-district teacher professional development and a classroom presentation.

The project’s goals are 1) to engage elementary students and teachers in classrooms and communities across the state in the study of Colorado archaeology – science, geography and history – through hands-on experience with artifacts, methods and tools, and 2) to get students turned on to Colorado history through archaeology in classrooms around the state. This project showcases the archaeological research of Dr. Stephen Lekson (emeritus), Dr. William Taylor, and Dr. Samantha Fladd at the CU Museum of Natural History and strives to provide needed educational resources to schools with little or no access to CU Boulder resources.

Over the next year, the project will focus on  the development of a robust set of online resources to augment the physical archaeology kits. These online lessons will also provide a framework to incorporate and highlight the voices of descendant community members whose ancestors resided in Colorado.

Numerous partners help make this project possible:

Mesa Verde National Park provides educational materials for the Colorado Archaeology in the Classroom kits and collaborates in the in-district teacher training for the project.

The Mesa Verde Museum Association provides printed and digital educational materials for the Colorado Archaeology in the Classroom kits.

The Federal Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) “Discovering Archaeology in Colorado” and “Intrigue of the Past” is used with BLM’s collaboration as the curriculum/teacher guide for the kits. This standards-based curriculum is widely used and well established in the field.

The Crow Canyon Archeological Center in Cortez, CO provided important visual timeline materials and pottery sherds for the kits.

The Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, University of New Mexico, provided hundreds of pottery sherds for the classroom kits.

CU Science Discovery advertises and manages the logistics for the Colorado Archaeology classroom presentation.

A grant through History Colorado’s State Historical Fund allows for the creation of an archival lesson utilizing Yellow Jacket materials from the southwest corner of the state.

As of Spring 2023, 199 kits have been distributed to 174 schools across the state of Colorado, reaching approximately 11,400 students.

  • Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits

    Additional Info

    Colorado Archaeology classroom kits provide Colorado elementary school students with a hands-on opportunity to learn archaeology in the classroom.


    Location 1

    in colorado

    Alamosa

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 2

    in colorado

    Arvada

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 3

    in colorado

    Aurora

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 4

    in colorado

    Bayfield

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 5

    in colorado

    Bennett

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 6

    in colorado

    Black Hawk

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 7

    in colorado

    Brighton

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 8

    in colorado

    Calhan

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 9

    in colorado

    Carbondale

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 10

    in colorado

    Cheraw

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 11

    in colorado

    Colorado Springs

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    Yes


    Location 12

    in colorado

    Cortez

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 13

    in colorado

    Cotopaxi

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 14

    in colorado

    Crawford

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 15

    in colorado

    Delta

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 16

    in colorado

    Denver

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 17

    in colorado

    Dolores

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 18

    in colorado

    Dove Creek

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 19

    in colorado

    Durango

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 20

    in colorado

    Eads

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 21

    in colorado

    Fort Collins

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 22

    in colorado

    Fort Morgan

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 23

    in colorado

    Gilcrest

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 24

    in colorado

    Glenwood Springs

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 25

    in colorado

    Golden

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 26

    in colorado

    Greeley

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 27

    in colorado

    Greenwood Village

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 28

    in colorado

    Gunnison

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 29

    in colorado

    Haxtun

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 30

    in colorado

    Ignacio

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 31

    in colorado

    Keenesburg

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 32

    in colorado

    Kersey

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 33

    in colorado

    Lake City

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 34

    in colorado

    Leadville

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 35

    in colorado

    Littleton

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 36

    in colorado

    Loveland

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 37

    in colorado

    Mancos

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 38

    in colorado

    Monte Vista

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 39

    in colorado

    Montrose

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 40

    in colorado

    Monument

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 41

    in colorado

    Northglenn

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 42

    in colorado

    Norwood

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 43

    in colorado

    Ouray

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 44

    in colorado

    Pagosa Springs

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 45

    in colorado

    Peetz

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 46

    in colorado

    Pritchett

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 47

    in colorado

    Pueblo

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 48

    in colorado

    Rifle

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 49

    in colorado

    Salida

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 50

    in colorado

    Sheridan Lake

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 51

    in colorado

    Silverton

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 52

    in colorado

    Telluride

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 53

    in colorado

    Wiggins

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 54

    in colorado

    Woodland Park

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 55

    in colorado

    Ridgway

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 56

    in colorado

    Palmer Lake

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 57

    in colorado

    Peyton

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program


    Location 58

    in colorado

    Raymer

    Dates

    Ongoing

    Public or Private

    Private Program (by request only or for a specific audience or group)

    Program Fee

    No charge to attend/participate in activity or program

Sponsoring Units

  • Division of Continuing Education

  • Office for Outreach and Engagement
  • Research Institutes

  • University of Colorado Museum of Natural History

Program Partners

  • Mesa Verde National Park
  • Mesa Verde Museum Association
  • Federal Bureau of Land Management
  • Crow Canyon Archeological Center
  • Maxwell Museum of Anthropology
  • CU Science Discovery
  • History Colorado's State Historical Fund

Audiences Served

  • Rural Communities
  • Socioeconomically Disadvantaged
  • Students - Early Learning
  • Students - Elementary School
  • Students - Homeschooled
  • Students - Middle School
  • Teachers - Early Learning
  • Teachers - Elementary School
  • Teachers - Middle School
  • Urban Communities