Mary L. Kwas

Arkansas Archeological Survey, University of Arkansas System, 2475 N. Hatch Ave., Fayetteville, AR 72704, 479-575-6549, mkwas@uark.edu

Description of Past & Current Involvement in Public Outreach & Education

I have over 20 years’ experience in archaeology public education, which has been practiced through a variety of career positions. I currently work as Education Specialist for the Arkansas Archeological Survey, a unit of the University of Arkansas System, where I’ve been employed since 1996. My position entails producing educational materials for teachers, representing the Survey at teachers’ conferences and workshops, serving as Coordinator for Arkansas Archeology Month, and assisting the amateur Arkansas Archeological Society in a number of its activities. I served as project manager for the NEH-grant-funded First Encounters educational CD-ROM project and wrote the script for the Crossroads of the Past video produced by the Survey. I also provide public outreach content for several web sites.

I held the position of Curator of Education at Chucalissa Museum (an archaeological park), University of Memphis, from 1991-1995. In that capacity, I developed a number of public programs for the museum, including Archaeology Day, More Than Bows & Arrows, and Native American Days, a 3-day event targeted to elementary school children that brought the largest daily attendance to the museum in its history. Prior to that, I served as Park Manager for Pinson Mounds State Archaeological Area from 1980-1986, directing the development of the site’s museum, library, and public programs, and initiating my long-time interest in heritage tourism issues, which has resulted in a number of publications on the subject.

I have been a long-time member of the Society for American Archaeology. I became involved with the Public Education Committee (PEC) in an adjunct status in 1991 by serving as column editor for the “Archaeological Parks” column that appeared in the print version of the PEC newsletter Archaeology & Public Education, serving as editor for this column through 1998. I became a full member of PEC in 1997, and have served as editor of the electronic version of the newsletter since 2000. I served on the PEC subcommittee that created the PEC traveling exhibit, and currently serve in PEC’s Internet and Heritage Tourism workgroups. I am also the Network Coordinator for Arkansas. I have a number of published articles on public education topics.

I also have review experience for grants and awards. From 1993-1994 I served on the Award of Merit Committee for the Tennessee Association of Museums. I was a Grants Field Reviewer for the Institute of Museum Services, Washington, D.C., from 1984-1986, and currently serve as a committee member on the SAA Excellence in Public Education Award Committee. I hold a Master of Science degree in Anthropology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 1980.

Interest in PEC Membership

I consider membership in PEC as service to my profession. I do appreciate, however, the benefits of being able to interact with other professionals interested in public education, and personally gain from their experience and ideas.

Target Audiences: Everyone interested in archaeology!