Ancient Approach to New Ideas

Can a 17,000-year-old tool help students learn 21st-century skills?

“We want to see if we can teach STEM concepts through archeology,” said Laurie Miroff, Director of the Public Archeology Facility at Binghamton University.
Thanks to a grant from the National Science Foundation, Miroff and her team are pairing Windsor middle school students with archeological activities to teach science, technology, engineering, and math concepts.

“We’re seeing if students can become more active STEM learners. We’re teaching them through less formal means,” said project manager Lynda Carroll.

Carroll is overseeing the atlatl project. She directs students on how to use the atlatl, an ancient tool that uses leverage to achieve greater velocity in dart or javelin throwing. Students investigate whether the size of the atlatl, or physique of the thrower affects the distance of the throw.

“We’re testing out different atlatl types,” said 8th grader Cameron Wallace. “It’s pretty fun.”

There are five projects student teams are working on: testing cordage, or rope, making a wampum belt, atlatl training, testing bone, stone, and wood tools on different materials, and making clothing out of leather.

Each student took a survey before the program began about identifying as a STEM learner. They will take the same survey after the program. Researchers will compare the results, and conduct in-depth interviews with the students. The group from Binghamton University will be back in the fall for a second archeology camp.

The students seem on board with this unconventional way to learn STEM.

“Since this was a STEM camp, I wanted to actually get outside and do something. If it’s educational, too, great. Two birds with one stone,” said Wallace.

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