Again, prior to excavation, the teachers were given a Teachers Guide to help their students prepare for their experience. Students were also given lectures at school by CRA employees about the work that had been conducted the previous year, and the work that was planned for the current testing. Prior to the 4th graders arrival on the site, the units were laid out, and the grass was carefully removed, so that it could be replaced when the testing was done. All the necessary equipment was laid out at each unit, with one screen per unit, so there would be no danger of mixing the artifacts from various units.

Lecture in the yard at Waterwild Farm
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When the students first arrived on the site, they were given an orientation tour, a description of their work duties, and then were assigned to their units. The students excavated their units in 10 cm arbitrary levels, keeping the units surface level, using small shovels and trowels. Students were taught to shovel skim, trowel, screen their artifacts, and take measurements. They were also responsible for note taking. When needed, supervisors showed students how floor plans were drawn. During the day, each group in turn was shown how the transit worked by shooting in their units. By the end of the day, the students had excavated 20 cm in each unit.

Shovel skimming a unit
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The excavations, although not extensive, were informative in providing information on the possible locations of structures. Units placed near the well indicated that the stratigraphy was not deep, and there was little architectural debris. Units placed along the fenceline at the rear of the house lot had a deeper stratigraphy. Of significance was the large quantity of structural debris, including limestone, nails and window glass that suggested the presence of a structure. Domestic artifacts, including ceramics, tableware and container glass was abundant. The artifacts at the upper levels were somewhat mixed, but the age of the window glass and nails suggested that the structures dated from the early to mid-nineteenth century. Time limitations prevented additional unit excavation.

Artifact identification lecture
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Supervisors reviewed the findings in each unit with each excavation team. A student was then chosen from each group to present their findings. The students were queried with regard to the profiles of their units, the relevant artifacts they had uncovered, and their suggestions on future research at the site. A summary of the days excavations and progress was provided by Dr. McKelway, and the group celebrated the days work with the Sayre Science high five before returning to school.

Student presentation of findings
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