Archaeology Education Outreach | New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs

Office of Archaeological Studies Education Outreach

The award-winning Office of Archaeological Studies Education Outreach Program is currently celebrating its twentieth anniversary. Through educational tours, lectures, artifact displays, and direct assistance, the Education Outreach endeavors to generate an appreciation for the richness of the cultural heritage of New Mexico. Because the archaeological record is fragile, it warrants respect, and it requires special care.

Education outreach activities have been designed around individual grade school classes interested in archaeology, but also around large regional events such as the Festival of the Cranes in Socorro, involving thousands of people. Programs have been delivered to elementary, middle, and high school students, museum docents, archaeological societies, a wide range of civic groups, and Native American groups. Activities include lectures and slide shows on a wide range of topics and hands-on demonstrations of ancient and historic period technologies and lifeways. Topics can often be customized around audience interests. One popular core program is a hands-on exhibit of artifacts, allowing students and the public direct experience with a wide time line of New Mexico archaeology, lifeways, and technology.

The OAS Education Outreach Program is financially supported by a combination of State of New Mexico funds, grants from the Museum of New Mexico Foundation, and money raised by Friends of Archaeology, an MNMF interest group.

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