Project Archaeology, a BLM supported archaeology education organization, announces a Leadership Academy to train a select group of teachers to take the lead in training educational professionals to implement the acclaimed Project Archaeology curriculum. Selected teachers from the Western BLM states will have tuition, travel and expenses paid in order to attend the workshops, learn the curriculum then return to teach the curriculum to educators in their home states.

1. For Immediate Release
Project Archaeology Leadership Academy Selects Teachers to become
Leaders in Preserving Our Past
December 8, 2009, Bozeman, Montana “I think they should leave it alone. I think they should call
someone.” This statement was made by a student when asked what to do when you find an artifact on
the ground. The student had recently participated in activities and lessons from the Project Archaeology
curriculum Investigating Shelter and represents the primary goal of archaeology education: to teach
students how to preserve our cultural heritage.
Project Archaeology, a BLM supported archaeology education organization, announces a Leadership
Academy to train a select group of teachers to take the lead in training educational professionals to
implement the acclaimed Project Archaeology curriculum. “The Project Archaeology Leadership
Academy will bring teachers from the western United States to Montana State University to learn about
archaeology and how to use it to integrate social studies, science, and literacy in the classroom,” relates
Jeanne Moe, Project Archaeology BLM Lead “All Project Archaeology educational materials have a
strong citizenship component and emphasize personal responsibility in protecting archaeological sites on
public lands.”
The Leadership Academy will enable teachers to learn and apply the Project Archaeology Curriculum.
Crystal Alegria, National Program Coordinator adds “We’re encouraging 3rd – 5th grade science and
social studies teachers to apply. The curriculum uses historical and scientific inquiry processes and
adheres to national standards.”
The program, which will take place June 21 – 25, 2010 at the Montana State University campus in
Bozeman Montana, will produce a group of Master Teachers who will return to their states to implement
workshops for teachers in their areas. The curriculum offers regional components which will allow
teachers to work with more localized cultural resources.
“The advantage to teachers is that they will be able to take home two complete curricula which they will
be able to implement immediately.” Alegria continues, “These curricula are Intrigue of the Past and
Project Archaeology: Investigating Shelter.” The National Council for the Social Studies has recently
endorsed the Project Archaeology: Investigating Shelter Curriculum. Susan Griffin, Executive Director
of NCSS notes, “NCSS is pleased to support a program that seeks to educate students on the cultures of
the past and how they have endured to the present.”
Selected teachers from the Western BLM states will have tuition, travel and expenses paid in order to
attend the workshops, learn the curriculum then return to teach the curriculum to educators in their home
states. Interested teachers should contact Kathy Francisco at 406-994-6727.
Project Archaeology is a comprehensive archaeology and heritage education program which includes publications,
professional development for educators, networking opportunities, and continuing support for participants. The US Bureau of
Land Management (BLM) has supported Project Archaeology since its inception in 1990 and is pleased to assist MSU and
UMNH with this innovative approach to distribution of archaeology education materials. The BLM is committed to
protecting archaeological resources through education which supports its mission to sustain the health and productivity of the
public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.
Project Archaeology is a joint program of Montana State University and the
Bureau of Land Management