Shirley J. Schermer

Office of the State Archaeologist, 700 Clinton St Bldg, University of Iowa, Iowa City IA 52242
Phone number: 319-384-0740, Fax number: 319-384-0768, shirley-schermer@uiowa.edu

Description of past and current involvement in public outreach and education

As an archaeologist and physical anthropologist and director of the Iowa OSA Burials Program for over 20 years, I have been involved in public outreach on a regular basis. I have directed field schools with public participation components, made presentations, written articles, published Discovering Archaeology: An Activity Guide for Educators, have been active in the OSA Education Committee, and along with Lynn Alex, have attended Project Archaeology workshops in our efforts to implement Project Archaeology in Iowa.I have been a member of the PEC since 1999. Among the projects I have worked on include the archaeology materials annotation project and coordination the PEC State Network. I have attended one planning retreat and PEC annual meetings when possible.

Interest in PEC membership

That through participation in the PEC, I can make a positive contribution to a team that makes a impact in support of the PEC mission. Also, through sharing ideas and experiences and collaborative efforts, I can see personal benefits in our office’s public outreach efforts in Iowa.I can offer my 20+ years of archaeological experience and public outreach, my access to professional organizations and networks, and my commitment that public education needs to be an integral part of the archaeology profession.

Area of interest:  Informing the public about what we have learned about the past through archaeological research, instilling a sense of stewardship of that past, generating discussions of ethical issues, developing K-12 educational materials and programs to help teachers and other educators use archaeology to teach core subject areas.

Target audience(s): general public, educators, other archaeologists