Education Mission

The Crow Canyon education department engages learners of all ages in an inclusive and dynamic study of the human past. The staff works toward this goal by teaching about past and present cultures of the Southwest, investigating student learning, and communicating the Center's educational methods and theories to others. The work of the department is guided by a respect for, and is conducted in collaboration with, American Indians. Archaeology, education, and applied anthropology provide the academic foundation for Crow Canyon programs.

Principles That Guide Our Work

• Everybody's history matters.
• Archaeological research and indigenous perspectives are essential to building a more inclusive story of the human past.
• Archaeological sites hold the stories of the past and must be preserved for the future.
• Experience and reflection form the foundation for meaningful learning.
• Archaeology is a multidisciplinary field.
• The learning environment should engage students in the learning process and promote respect for culture, the environment, and other people.

Programs

Crow Canyon's innovative education programs not only provide instruction in archaeology, but also involve the lay public in the actual research process. This firsthand approach increases awareness of, and appreciation for, our rich cultural heritage, while providing broad-based support for archaeological research and preservation. Through Crow Canyon's programs, students of all ages gain an understanding of culture, American Indian history, archaeological research, human interaction with the environment, and the importance of cultural resource preservation.

Learning Centers

On-campus learning centers recreate ancestral Pueblo lifeways and allow students to immerse themselves in the study of the past.

Outreach

Outreach initiatives allow us to extend our nationally recognized programs to students and educators beyond our campus borders.