Éducation

Looking for a way to introduce young people to a truly scientific approach that combines history, mystery and fun? Try one of our educational kits for your class!

A dynamic educational tool
Intended for students in elementary cycles 2 and 3, the educational kits designed by the Archéo-Québec Network bring young people into contact with professional archaeologists in a way that makes archaeology and its evidence more accessible and encourages discussion. Through a range of diverse activities and approaches, students discover over 12 000 years of history, Amerindian and Euro-Québec lifeways and developments that have marked the story of industrialization.

Students have the opportunity to see and touch artifacts interpreted and presented by REAL archaeologists, who introduce their profession and archaeological discoveries through one of five productive themes relating to aspects of the students’ everyday lives: Food, Shelter, Defence, Clothing and Trade. A sixth theme completes this series by presenting the discipline in a more scientific light and is entitled What’s archaeology?. Young people are invited to take part in multiple experiences that appeal to their senses and let them play a true role in their own learning processes.

This project, initiated in 2006 in accordance with the program of the Ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et des Sports, promotes the learning of numerous curriculum-related competencies and helps to stimulate young people’s interest and curiosity with respect to Québec’s history and archaeology.

The scientific approach to archaeology
Like any science, archaeology possesses its own methods and techniques. However, it uses an approach – starting with the definition of goals, continuing with the collection, description, treatment and interpretation of data and ending with the validation of the interpretation – that is common to all sciences.

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Educational kits

Food

The Food educational kit presents the archaeological profession as well as artifacts related to obtaining food (hunting, fishing, etc.), and the tools required for preparing, storing and eating it. Diet, technological change over time and other sub-themes are also covered with this educational kit.

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Shelter

The Shelter educational kit presents the archaeological profession as well as artifacts related to the ingenious techniques used to provide shelter in a given environment with the materials at hand. This theme also lends itself to exploring different lifestyles in various periods.

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Defence

The Defence educational kit presents the archaeological profession as well as artifacts related to defending oneself against an animal or an enemy, engaging in a war or planning a defensive strategy. Uniforms, military structures, spiritual protection, alliances, exchanges and diplomacy as well as hierarchy are also examined.

 

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Health

The Health educational kit presents the archaeological profession as well as artifacts related to caring for oneself and others. These artifacts touch on themes such as the preparation and conservation of medication, rituals and healing practices, religious rituals, care of the body, public hygiene, medical technologies and more.

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What's archaeology?

The What’s archaeology? educational kit presents the scientific discipline of archaeology, the archaeological profession as well as authentic artifacts related to the lifeways of the various peoples who have occupied this territory. The following sub-themes are addressed: material culture studies, specialized branches of archaeology, dating methods, physical-chemical analyses and more.

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