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