
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 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 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 will allow for the creation of an archival lesson utilizing Yellow Jacket materials from the southwest corner of the state.
As of Spring 2022, 199 kits have been distributed to 174 schools across the state of Colorado, reaching approximately 11,400 students.
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Alamosa
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Arvada
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Aurora
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Bayfield
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Bennett
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Black Hawk
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Brighton
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Calhan
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Carbondale
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Cheraw
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Colorado Springs
Location
in colorado
Colorado 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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Cortez
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Cotopaxi
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Crawford
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Delta
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Dove Creek
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Durango
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Eads
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Fort Collins
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Fort Morgan
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Gilcrest
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Glenwood Springs
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Golden
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Greeley
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Greenwood Village
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Gunnison
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Haxtun
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Ignacio
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Keenesburg
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Kersey
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Lake City
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Leadville
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Littleton
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Loveland
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Mancos
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Monte Vista
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Montrose
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Monument
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Northglenn
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Norwood
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Ouray
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Pagosa Springs
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Palmer Lake
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Peetz
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Peyton
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Pritchett
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Pueblo
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Raymer
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Ridgway
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Rifle
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Salida
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Sheridan Lake
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Silverton
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Telluride
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Wiggins
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits - Woodland Park
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits -Denver
Location
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
Colorado Archaeology Classroom Kits -Dolores
Location
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
Sponsoring Units
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
Topics:
- Archaeology
- Arts and Culture
- Anthropology
- Diversity, Inclusion and Equity
- K-12 Education
- Educational Research and Resources
- Museums/Museum Studies
- History
- Pre-K/Early Learning Education
- Environment and Sustainability
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Education
- Visual Arts (Drawing/Painting/Ceramics/Sculpture/Photography)
- Physical Sciences
- Social Sciences