The CU Museum is closed. We will be reopening soon.Ìý

During this time, collection visits will be available by appointment and other special access requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.Ìý
Please email cumuseum@colorado.edu for more information.Ìý

Colorado Archaeology in the Classroom

native american rug

Our goal for Colorado Archaeology in the ClassroomÌýis to engage more elementary students and teachers in classrooms and communities across the state in the study of Colorado archaeology through hands-on experience with artifacts, methods, and tools.

  • Hands-on teaching kits containing real and cast artifacts and lessons for elementary schools.
  • Training for teachers in their districts on how to best use the kits in their classrooms.
  • AÌýclassroom presentation featuring real and cast artifacts focusing on the pre-history of Colorado.

To find out how to get a Colorado Archaeology kit and curriculum for your classroom or school, arrange an in-district teacher training, and/or a presentation for your classroom, please contact museumed@colorado.edu or call (303) 492-1033.

Explore more

The Colorado Archaeology in the ClassroomÌýis developed for Colorado School Districts by:

  • Dr. Stephen Lekson, Ph.D.ÌýProfessor, Anthropology, and Curator of Archaeology, CU Museum of Natural History, 91ÃÛÌÒ¸ó.
  • Jim Hakala,ÌýSenior Educator, CU Museum of Natural History, 91ÃÛÌÒ¸ó.

Partners in the Colorado Archaeology in the Classroom project include:

  • provides educational materials for the Colorado Archaeology in the Classroom kits and collaborates in the in-district teacher training for the project.
  • The provides printed and digital educational materials for the Colorado Archaeology in the Classroom kits.
  • The (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 provides the publication "Ancient Colorado: An Archaeological Perspective" for inclusion in the classroom kits.
  • The in Cortez, CO provided important visual timeline materials and hundreds of pottery sherds for inclusion in the kits.
  • The , provided hundreds of pottery sherds for inclusion in the classroom kits.
  • advertises and manages the logistics for the Colorado Archaeology classroom presentation.

Colorado Archaeology in the ClassroomÌýis generously funded by theÌý91ÃÛÌÒ¸ó 91ÃÛÌÒ¸óÌýOffice of Strategic Relations and Communications and the 91ÃÛÌÒ¸ó 91ÃÛÌÒ¸ó Museum of Natural History.