ERIC Number: EJ722117
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2005
Pages: 5
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0887-2376
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Cemeteries as Science Labs
Easley, Linda M.
Science Scope, v29 n3 p28-32 Nov-Dec 2005
Cemeteries can be outdoor museums, teeming with valuable information that tells a story. They provide archaeologists with an opportunity to examine how artifacts (tombstones and monuments) reflect cultural change and how societies differ from one another. Archaeologists can record information about the size, shape, symbols, and weathering of the grave markers. They record information about the people buried in the graves and look for patterns. A trip to a local cemetery can also be an opportunity to engage students in real-world science, emphasizing the process and nature of science. It can even be a costless trip when the graveyard is within walking distance from the school. Exploration of a cemetery provides connections to mathematics, social studies, language arts, and archeology. In this article the author describes a 30 minute in class activity to simulate tombstone weathering, using sidewalk chalk, and simple household chemicals. Students will learn to follow instructions, make observations, collect, organize and record information, combine findings with other class members, draw conclusions, and report findings accurately and effectively.
Descriptors: Scientific Principles, Science Activities, Archaeology, Environmental Education, Mineralogy
National Science Teachers Association, 1840 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201-3000. Tel: 800-722-6782 (Toll Free); Web site: http://www.nsta.org.
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Elementary Education; Middle Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A

Peer reviewed
Direct link
