Many elementary school teachers, in particular, do not have a strong science background, which makes it difficult for them to teach science to their classes. We give them five curricula, which they experience here. They can take them back and use them in their classes next fall. What's really exciting is that kids get to do more hands-on science and that's how kids learn best. The institutes are sponsored by the WSU departments of animal sciences and human development.
Reporters are welcome to come and try out some of the experiments themselves.
Directing the dig is Bill Andrefsky, director of WSU's Center for Northwest Anthropology. The team is mapping the location of artifacts and attempting to determine at what period of prehistory natives occupied the site. When the Owyhee River flooded in 1993, ancient cultural materials were exposed. Centuries-old stone tool fragments have been documented and there is evidence that roasting ovens were utilized, Andrefsky says. The project is being conducted for the Bureau of Land Management.