ANTHRONOTES

MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY PUBLICATION FOR EDUCATORS

VOLUME 22 NO. 2 WINTER 2001

THE ANTHROPOLOGY EDUCATION COMMISSION

The American Anthropological Association (AAA), like many of the professional social science and science associations, has committed itself to increasing the public's understanding of its discipline. As one recent step the AAA Long Range Planning Committee established the Anthropology Education Commission (AEC) to develop an action plan for the Association, which would result in “significant progress towards the integration of anthropological concepts, methods, and issues into pre-K through community college and adult education as a means of increasing public understanding of anthropology.”

At a February meeting in Washington, the AAA President, Louise Lamphere, asked the Commission to brain storm ideas that the AAA could develop into larger scale funded programs since the AAA has hired its first development officer. Before the brainstorming session, Commission members heard a presentation from Ruth Selig comparing the work of various social science associations to promote their disciplines in K-12 education.

The AEC is comprised of anthropologists and educators who have been actively working in university, school, and museum settings. Commission members include: Chair Rosemary Henze (ARC Associates), Meg Conkey (UC Berkeley), Paul Erickson (St. Mary's Univ.), Norma Gonzales (U Arizona, Tucson), Dorothy Krass (SAA Public Education Committee), Margy McClain (Univ. of Wisconsin, Whitewater), Ann Kaupp (Smithsonian/AnthroNotes), Mari Lyn Salvador (Univ. of New Mexico), and Ruth Selig (Smithsonian/AnthroNotes). In its first year (2000), the Commission initiated three activities:

1. A $2500seed grant program to support new efforts that incorporate anthropology into PreK-12 education and community college teaching.

2. A Website for school practitioners designed to increase awareness of school programs and activities that incorporate anthropology. Expanded sections will include anthropology resources for the classroom.

3. Posting of exemplary education programs and activities on the website.

To learn more about the Commission's activities, consult its Website at http://www.aaanet.org/committees/commissions/aec