Current Committee Charge: To evaluate nominations for and select the recipient of the Excellence in Public Education Award.
Committee Composition: Committee composition is one chair and four members.
Committee Chair and End of Term: Lynn M. Alex [2015]
Committee Chair Contact Information: Lynn M. Alex, 700 Clinton St. Bldg, Office of the State Archaeologist, Iowa City, IA 52242-1000. Fax: (319) 384-0768; Email lynn-alex@uiowa.edu
Committee Members and Ends of Terms: Nancy Hawkins [2015], A. Gwynn Henderson [2015], Teresa MKcReynolds Shebalin [2014], Claudine Payne [2015]
Board Liaison: Melinda Zeder
Award Description: This award acknowledges excellence in the sharing of archaeological information with the public. The award is conferred on a rotating, 3-year cycle of categories, described here. The category for 2014 is the Category is Media and Information Technology.
Who Is Eligible to Submit Nominations or Apply for the Award: Any member of SAA may submit a nomination file, although awardees are not required to be members of the SAA.
Nomination/Submission Materials Required: Nominators will work with the Chair to assemble a nomination file that will include 1) the nomination form and 2) a formal letter of nomination that identifies the nominee and summarizes their accomplishments. These accomplishments should be contextualized by addressing the following types of questions: How does it fit within the practice of public education and archaeology? What is the impact on relevant publics beyond the discipline of archaeology (general public, special interest groups, pre-collegiate or non-traditional students, others)? In addition, the nomination file should include a copy (or samples) of the specific achievement and supporting materials that document results. This material should clearly demonstrate the case being made in the nomination letter. For example, supporting evidence might document the impact of a specific program in terms of the numbers of the public involved, personnel qualifications and deployment, the frequency or longevity of programs offered, formal evaluation results, and/or feedback from the audience. Endorsement from secondary nominators are welcomed (please, no more than three). Prior nomination does not exclude consideration of a nominee in subsequent years. Designers of programs or products may nominate their own work. Electronic submissions are encouraged. If a nomination package is mailed, six (6) copies of the nomination package (including supporting materials) must be submitted.
Nomination/Submission Deadline: to be announced
Other Special Requirements: The Committee Chair of the committee will work with nominators to ensure a complete nomination. Nominators are encouraged to contact the Chair by November 1, 2013 to begin this process.
Selection or Evaluation Criteria: Nominations are reviewed individually by members of the SAA Excellence in Public Education Award Committee who select a recipient based on the following criteria: public impact, creativity in programming, leadership, and promotion of archaeological ethics.
Committee Deliberation Process (e.g. dates, venue): After reviewing all nominations individually, committee members meet electronically and/or via telephone conference after the submission deadline has passed to select the winner.
Nature of Award (e.g. monetary, medal, symposium): The awardee is recognized by the SAA through a plaque presented at the annual meeting, a citation in The Archaeological Record, and a citation on the SAA Website with a link for recipients to use.
Awardees
2013 No award
2012 The Education Outreach Program of the Office of Archaeological Studies - community and public programming
2011 No Award
2010 Project Archaeology:Investigating Shelter - curriculum
2009 Center for American Archaeology - Kampsville
2008 Texas Beyond History: The Virtual Museum of Texas' Cultural Heritage
2007 The 5th Street Cemetery Necrogeographical Study
2006 Richard E. Pettegrew
2005 Office of Archaeological Studies, Museum of New Mexico - Institution
2004 Patricia Wheat-Stranahan - Educator
2003 Jeanne Moe - Archaeologist
2002 AnthroNotes - Institution
2001 George Brauer - Educator
2000 George Stuart - Archaeologist
1999 Crow Canyon Archaeological Center - Institution
1998 Jan Coleman-Knight - Educator
1997 Brian Fagan - Archaeologist