One of the most exciting parts of running Dig Quest is the chance to visit schools and bring the thrill of archaeology directly to students. While textbooks can provide facts and photos, nothing compares to the look on a child’s face when they hold a replica artifact or uncover a hidden object in a mini dig. These school visits are at the heart of what Dig Quest stands for: hands-on learning, curiosity-driven discovery, and making history feel real and alive.
Over the past year, we’ve had the privilege of visiting several elementary and middle schools, each with its own unique group of students and educators. At Eastside Christian School, for example, the energy in the room was contagious. As we rolled in carts filled with bins of soil, tools, and replica artifacts, students immediately gathered around, eager to see what was inside. We began with a brief introduction to archaeology—what it is, why it matters, and how we use clues from the past to tell human stories. From there, it was straight into the action.
The hands-on portion of the presentation is always a favorite. Students are divided into small teams and assigned their own dig site, complete with a tray of sand or soil and hidden objects beneath the surface. Equipped with kid-friendly trowels, brushes, and magnifying glasses, they carefully excavate their sites, taking notes on what they find and where it was located. You can hear the excitement grow with every artifact discovered. “I found a piece of pottery!” one student will shout. Another might exclaim, “Look, a bone fragment!” In these moments, you see students transforming into young archaeologists, fully engaged and working together to solve the puzzle of the past.
What’s even more rewarding is watching how students begin to think differently about history. They start asking deeper questions—Who used this tool? What was it for? How old is it? They begin to realize that history isn’t just about kings and battles; it’s about everyday people, their lives, their homes, and the objects they left behind. Teachers often tell us how surprised they are by the level of insight and excitement their students show during and after the session.
Each school visit brings new highlights. At one school, a group of fourth graders created their own “museum exhibit” after the dig, complete with labeled displays and explanations of what they thought each artifact meant. At another, a quiet student who rarely spoke up in class suddenly came to life during the activity, leading her group and confidently sharing her ideas. These are the kinds of moments that remind us why Dig Quest exists.
Our goal with every visit is not only to teach students about archaeology but to spark a lifelong curiosity. Whether a child grows up to be an archaeologist or simply carries a deeper appreciation for the past, we consider that a success. By bringing these experiences into the classroom, we’re not just digging into the earth—we’re digging into imagination, creativity, and a love of learning.
