Class Field Trips

Bring your class and be an archaeologist for a day! Students will learn what archaeology is and about archaeology in their own backyard. We are focusing on creating standards-driven experiences that can help build your curriculum and be fun and engaging for your students. We respect that a teacher’s time and resources are limited. Let us help you create an experience for your students that will build on the lessons you have given them and activate their natural curiosity.  

May through October we open up a local archaeological heritage site for the public to join in the responsible & respectful excavation and exploration into past cultures. Our lab and experimental archaeology experiences are available year-round. Join us in exploring our local past, learning about archaeology, understanding the importance of preservation and make your own archaeological discoveries. 

Youth aged 5-11 can dig in our Junior Field Experience, where they will learn to excavate and then help our archaeologists excavate the Smith Site. Students will learn about the excavation techniques, how to map an archaeological site, and the different stages of excavation. 

Youth aged 11-18 can experience an experimental archaeology lesson during our off season. During an experimental archaeology experience, students can learn to use an atlatl to throw a seven-foot dart, create stone tools through flint knapping, learn about indigenous gardening methods and native plants, or create their own pottery! Options are available, and our staff is ready to work with you to create an experience that will be meaningful and engaging for your students. During our excavation season, students will learn about archaeological excavation techniques, the importance of cultural preservation, stratigraphy, and the historic and prehistoric archaeological context of the region. 

How to Prepare:

All equipment will be provided, but make sure to wear clothes you would not mind getting dirty since we will be excavating in the dirt. Close-toed shoes and long pants are also appreciated as we will be working outside. 

*Lunch option add-ons available for a fee. 

*Transportation: Not Provided

Grant funding is available for lunches and transportation for qualifying applicants. 

Teachers, ask about our field trip grants and what your students/school may qualify to receive!

ARI Field trip grants have been made possible by the United Way of Southeast Indiana and the Home City Ice Family Foundation. Field trip grants can cover transportation needs and lunches for students in Southeast Indiana, Northern Kentucky and Southeast Ohio. These funds have made it possible for ARI to offer field trip experiences as donation-based experiences, so that all students can have the opportunity to learn hands-on about our region’s past cultures. Thanks to the United Way and the Home City Ice Family Foundation!

Pricing:

Free!

Special thanks to the United Way for their generous donation, providing the funds necessary to offer this experience free of charge.

When:

Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4pm (Seasonally)

Location:

ARI Base Camp
424 Walnut Street
Lawrenceburg, IN

Age Requirement:

Students ages 5-19

Activity Level:

Active (kneeling, standing for long periods of time, etc.)

Length:

1-3 Hours

The most important part of archaeology happens in the lab – using artifacts to tell the story of the people that used and made those tools! First, students will learn what archaeology is, and about archaeology in their own backyard! Next, students will be able to help trained archaeologists with laboratory analysis of artifacts that have been gathered during the summer. They will make scientific inferences about the artifacts they clean and sort, and apply this knowledge through experimental archaeology, where they will be refitting historical pottery pieces.

How to Prepare:

All equipment will be provided, but make sure to wear clothes you would not mind getting a little dirty since we will be cleaning dirt off artifacts. Close-toed shoes are also appreciated as we will be working in a laboratory environment.  

*Lunch option add-ons available for a fee. 

*Transportation: Not Provided  

Teachers, ask about our field trip grants and what your students/school may qualify to receive!

ARI Field trip grants have been made possible by the United Way of Southeast Indiana and the Home City Ice Family Foundation. Field trip grants can cover transportation needs and lunches for students in Southeast Indiana, Northern Kentucky and Southeast Ohio. These funds have made it possible for ARI to offer field trip experiences as donation-based experiences, so that all students can have the opportunity to learn hands-on about our region’s past cultures. Thanks to the United Way and the Home City Ice Family Foundation!

Pricing:

Free!

Special thanks to the United Way for their generous donation, providing the funds necessary to offer this experience free of charge.

When:

Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4pm

Location:

ARI Base Camp
424 Walnut Street
Lawrenceburg, IN

Age Requirement:

Students ages 5-19

Activity Level:

Easy – standing and walking on fairly level ground

Length:

1-3 Hours

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT STATEMENT:

The Archaeological Research Institute (ARI) recognizes that the land we study and steward is the homeland of many peoples. We acknowledge the myaamia (Miami), Shawanwa (Shawnee), Peewaalia (Peoria), Kiikaapoi (Kickapoo) and the multitude of nations who call this their homelands.   ARI recognizes the violence inflicted upon the indigenous Nations of the Ohio Valley, including their forced removal following treaties such as Fort Finney and Greenville. ARI condemns the intentional destruction of their languages and cultures. ARI condemns the continuous discrimination against the living Native peoples throughout the United States.