Public invited to Archaeology Day

ESCONDIDO — The San Diego Archaeological Center is preparing for an exciting Archaeology Day, Saturday, September 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The center’s Education Department will provide a sampling of archaeology-based learning experiences based on the nationally renowned Project Archaeology program. Project Archaeology uses the basic concepts of real field archaeology to fulfill multidisciplinary state education standards. The lessons employ actual artifacts and children’s imaginations to hone critical thinking skills in a fun and challenging environment. They experience what it is like to be a “real” archaeologist, trowel included.

The center recently premiered new curatorial vaults for its ever-expanding collection of archaeological and cultural resources. With the updated shelving system in place, the educational department relocated its Cultural Classroom and is ready for school fieldtrips, Scout troops seeking the archaeology merit badge and after-school programs interested in an extended learning period. Not forgetting the life-learner, the new classroom location is more readily accessible from the center parking area. Active seniors and retirement community groups attending an educational program will appreciate the access to reserved parking and the easily reached classroom.

The center has provided Project Archaeology programs to over 15,000 students in the past five years for public, private, charter, magnet, Montessori, GATE, AVID and home-schooled students. Center Program Coordinator Annemarie Cox and Collection Specialists Suzanne Moramarco and Rebecca Nathan are trained providers of this unique heritage program. Professional and informal educators will enjoy learning about this program and how it can fulfill their education plans and content standards in the coming school year. Scout leaders, museum and historic house docents, nature trail guides and earth science educators are also encouraged to attend.

Educators who schedule Project Archaeology programs at this event will receive – free of charge – a Project Archaeology logo item at the time of the actual field trip. Activity directors for retirement communities, neighborhood associations, program directors for service clubs and social organizations will be able to view the recently updated PowerPoint presentation “10,000 Years of San Diego History.”

The San Diego Archaeological Center is located at 16666 San Pasqual Valley Road in Escondido (1.1 miles past the Wild Animal Park).

For cost and more information on this event, contact Annemarie Cox at [email protected] or (760) 291-0370.