The VAS Education Committee

The VAS Education Committee, as other VAS committees do, functions under the organization's by-laws, and reports to the VAS Board. The Education Committee is charged with furthering the archeological education and public outreach goals of the VAS. The main projects undertaken by the committee include the co-organization of the annual Vermont Archeology Week (along with theVDHP), archeology bus trips, winter workshops, and other educational initiatives.  We are always searching for other enthusiastic folks to assist with committee tasks, our numerous excellent projects, and fervently invite anyone interested to drop by and visit.

The Education Committee officially undertakes the nitty gritty of Vermont Archeology Week. Committee members often have dual roles as coordinators, fundraisers, sponsors, and event organizers. The VAS Education Committee has a structured role toward recruiting coordinators, selecting a theme and date, outlining outreach goals, estimating finances, and reporting on the successes. Developing a winter workshop has been an item on our agenda for warming the winter doldrums. Other items on the agenda may include the revision past publications like the VAS 1995 Educator's Guide to Vermont's Archaeological Resources. VAS Education Committee members have also contributed to the new VAS Web Page. This page was initially compiled and designed by Gabrielle Bourgerie, and hosted by the Vermont Heritage Network. David Quiroz (GEOARCH, Inc. Intern) updated the web page, using many Vermont Archaeology Week web pages designed by volunteer Chris Sheldon.

The VAS Education Committee maintains a number of resources available to educators, archeologists, and others doing public outreach. More of our offerings will eventually be accessible on updated web pages. Included in our physical library is "Archaeology and Public Education", a newsletter published by the Society for American Archaeology's Public Education Committee that features resources for educators, project ideas, and free literature. The SAA has an exciting new web site, and its Public Education Committee is expanding their support of archeology education initiatives.  The VAS Education Committee officially liaisons with the Society for American Archaeology thus maintaining our ties across the nation. If you are interested in archeology and education on the local or national scene, come join us!

Please contact: VAS Education Committee Chair
Louise Basa