Archaeocamp: Archaeology for place-based learning
The Schools of Education and Humanities are collaborating on an ambitious project to integrate place-based learning through working with schools to engage creatively with local archaeology and heritage.
Place-based learning through Archaeology and Heritage
An exciting new project, launched collaboratively by the School of Education and the School of Humanities is working with Scottish schools to explore the benefits of spending time outdoors and learning about the local environs. Archaeologists have been working with a Scottish Primary School to develop a programme of workshops designed to support place-based learning for pupils in P6.
The work has seen pupils taking part in 5 Archaeocamp workshops each working together to create an exhibition about their own local archaeology. Archaeocamp has included developing key skills for careers in Archaeology and Heritage such as field-walking, artefact analysis, interpretation design, and map use. The pupils have learned about Scotland's past, finding out about local rock art and the heritage of their town.
Archaeocamp Workshops
Over 60 pupils have taken part in Archaeocamp so far, which plans initially to extend its offer to more schools in the West of Scotland. The project is funded by the Naval Children's Charity with a focus on supporting Forces children. The work responds to the NCC's research into The Impact of Service Life on the Military Child and has been developing an approach to support naval children to strengthen their sense of place‑based belonging.
The project's work is countering the instability caused by frequent moves by creating opportunities for children to build meaningful, lasting connections to the communities they temporarily call home via place-based learning.
Project Team
The project team is made up of Dr Nicole Smith (School of Education), Dr Gareth Beale, Dr Elizabeth Robertson, and Dr Kenny Brophy (School of Humanities), from the University of Glasgow, and has included also working with Dr Eddie Stewart of Archaeology Scotland.
Developing place-based belonging through creativity
Working together to develop an exhibition about their learning, the pupils have been taking part in lots of different learning activities to find out about their local archaeology and history. They have undertaken a fieldwalking exercise and evaluated the archaeology of their town with Dr Nicole Smith, Dr Gareth Beale, found out about the surrounding archaeological landscape with Dr Eddie Stewart, worked on designing Sun-eating monsters inspired by Dr Kenny Brophy's work on the Cochno Stone in Faifley, recorded audio soundscapes with Dr Lizzie Robertson, found out how to draw and analyse artefacts with Dr Nicole Smith, and designed interpretation for their upcoming archaeology display with Dr Nicole Smith and Dr Gareth Beale. Their creative work will be displayed in an exhibition aimed at residents of their local town in June.
Notes
The Naval Children’s Charity is the UK’s only charity dedicated solely to supporting children of Royal Navy, Royal Marines, and Royal Fleet Auxiliary families, providing practical, emotional, and financial help to those facing the pressures of service life. It works nationally to ensure naval children feel secure, supported, and able to thrive despite the challenges of mobility, separation, and the unique demands placed on military families.
Archaeology Scotland is a national charity that inspires people to discover, explore and protect Scotland’s rich archaeological heritage. Through learning programmes, community projects and hands‑on activities, it helps people of all ages connect with place, history and each other, strengthening local identity and fostering long‑term stewardship of Scotland’s past.