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Archaeologist takes MAG artifacts to RCSD School Number 17.

During his winter break from the Joukowsky Institute at Brown University, archaeology graduate student Alex Smith is visiting five local schools to talk to the 6th grade students. Here he is showing Mrs. Alice Lombardo’s students at the Enrico Fermi School the principles of stratigraphy. Students learned how archaeologists use clues from the surrounding earth to date and understand the history of the artifacts they unearth.

School Number 17 in Rochester, NY

School Number 17 in Rochester, NY

Here they are looking at a recent Turkish coin (above), and at the bottom of the “dig” Alex discovered the real treasure, a 6,000 year-old stone tool (see below and click on it to enlarge)!  The students knew they were seeing something very special – worth all the hard work of digging through the layers.

6,000 year-old stone tool

6,000 year-old stone tool

Students also spent time analyzing “mystery” artifacts brought from the Memorial Art Gallery, talking to Alex about schooling needed to be an archaeologist and seeing slides of him working around the world.

The MAG is sponsoring Alex’s visits to the classrooms to supplement their visits to the museum to see objects from the ancient world cultures. The tour Passport to the Past follows the NYS 6th grade social studies curriculum and is MAG’s most requested school tour. Parts of this tour are also included in our free app for iPhones and iPads. Learn more.

Go to this page on our website to learn more about our Teacher Resources (possibly one of our best kept secrets).

Comments

Comment from Joel Smith
Time: January 7, 2013, 5:55 pm

A very worthwhile program for the students and MAG!

Comment from uncle charlie
Time: February 12, 2013, 9:56 am

Well done indeed Indiana Smith!

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