Educational and Interpretive Services
Including workshops, interactive program presentations, and educational projects
School Programs
Educational programs designed for grades 4 thru 12 provide hands on interactive programs that animate important technologies, processes, and resources of the ancient eastern woodlands.
Each school program is tailored to suit the grade level, and we specialize in integration of educational themes and goals into animated activities that promote hands-on fun. Below are several of the typical activities and presentation topics for school programs.
Introduction to Stone Tools: Stone tools are one of the fundamental technologies of pre-industrial people worldwide. In this segment, we will learn about several types of stone tools including woodworking tools, cutting tools, and specialty tools. An introductory presentation will introduce participants to the variety, function, use, and manufacture of various stone tools. Examples of several stone tool types are provided for hands on inspection. Another hands-on option for this technology gives up to ten students at a time the chance to try flint knapping - the process of making “arrowheads” and other tools from flint and chert. We provide expert instruction and all tools and materials!
Erik Vosteen is a lifetime member of the Environmental Education Association of Indiana. Please take a moment to look at EEAI’s website to learn more about the association and its goals and vision!
Cordage, Fiber, and Textile Skills: The ability to make string, rope, textiles, and lashings, has been one of the fundamental human technologies from ancient to modern times. Often unprocessed plant fibers and tree bark can be used as they are, and we will learn what plants provide these resources and how to use them for a variety of applications. Finished products can often be made in the woods with absolutely no tools other than bare hands. In this program segment, we explore the various materials and methods of making and using cordage and textiles with resources gathered directly from the woodlands and fields. Several fibers that have been used for thousands of years in the Eastern Woodlands will be provided as we learn and practice the art of making stringy stuff.
Introduction to the Atlatl: The atlatl is an ancient device that allows a light spear, called a dart, to be cast with much greater force and distance than by hand alone. It has been used by cultures worldwide, and is still in use by some.
We will bring ten to twenty atlatls, plenty of darts, and everything needed to set up the range and get started throwing. This program segment begins with an educational introduction to atlatl equipment, techniques, history, and other interesting tidbits, and then everyone can practice casting some darts. Atlatls are great fun and an important prehistoric technology. An open mowed or cleared space of at least the area of a football field is required for safety and the segment normally lasts 45 minutes to an hour per group.
Fundamentals of Fire: Fire is arguably the single most important human technology ever. Throughout human history, fire has provided us with many of the basic and essential needs. We will discuss this monumental importance and then explore the various ways that people ignite, harness, and utilize fire. The various ancient fire making methods are demonstrated, including flint and steel, fire piston, and friction methods such as the hand drill - which is the most commonly used method in pre-industrial cultures worldwide. Hands-on options for this segment give students the opportunity to try a bow-drill friction fire kit and flint/steel spark based ignition kit. This is a very popular segment that underscores our reliance on and rich history of fire use that continues today.
The video shows the most used friction fire ignition technique in the world - in fact we have yet to find an account of the bow-drill method in early historic references from the eastern woodlands - everyone appears to have used the hand-drill method.
Striking a spark...
Plant Resources of the Eastern Woodlands: The range and scope of plant resources in the Eastern Woodlands is staggering, and in this segment we will identify plants that provide vital raw materials and learn about how they are harvested, processed, and used. We will focus on important species and the resources that pre-historic people harvested from them. We will also explore the specialized tools and techniques that were used to process them into the domestic products necessary for everyday survival.
Early Historic and Pre-Historic Food Technologies of Eastern Woodlands: People in the ancient eastern woodlands employed a fascinating and sophisticated array of tools, technologies, and processes to harvest and prepare wild and cultivated plant and animal resources for food, clothing, and tools. Focusing on food, this segment presents some of the core tools, technologies, and processes with hands-on experience and edible results. From efficient hunting methods that are so effective they are outlawed in modern times, to complex chemical treatment of corn (maize) called nixtimalization, to ingenious methods of mass-processing nuts, to companion plant agriculture - the list goes on and on. Years of research and experimentation combined with professional interpretive presentation and a selected array of tools and domestic items make this segment one of the most popular and interesting.
Fresh wood-ash nixtimal ready to be made into hominy, corn soup, tamales....
Chenopodium (lambsquarter) grain was likely domesticated thousands of years ago for food.
Cooking in earthenware pottery.