Archaeological Science for All Phase I: National Delphi Survey

Archaeology education activities in informal science learning settings are an underutilized, but effective strategy for teaching science inquiry skills in socially and culturally relevant contexts. This project investigated the potential for archaeological content and inquiry strategies to help informal science learning institutions increase learning with diverse ISE audiences. The project was based on foundational research for the development of a national research framework for archaeology education and a plan for developing high-quality science learning opportunities for under-represented audiences in ISE. In order to determine the specific knowledge, skills and dispositions and assess specific informal science learning outcomes related to culture and ecology the research team designed and administered a Delphi survey to 125 informal science educators, archaeologists, and archaeology educators. The results determined what archaeological concepts, skills, and dispositions should be taught, and the optimum social/cultural/ecological contexts for enhancing informal archaeological learning in ISE for under-represented audiences.