Bill Lipe raises some good points about the ethical obligations of the
archaeologist involved in public educational uses of cultural resources.
 However, these ethical concerns address only the archaeological site.  The
archaeologist, as all scientists, have an ethical obligation to the public as
well.  The History In Our Back Yard Program (the hands-on program reported on
in the Web-Site referenced), keeps both of these issues in focus.  For more
detail on this program I refer the reader to the following:
    Frink and Allen, 1993.  History In Our Back Yard. Archaeology And Public
Education. Vol 3, No. 3.
 
    Frink, 1997.  Manageing Vermont's Cultural Resources: From Public
Presentation to Participation.  Journal of Middle Atlantic Archaeology.  Vol
13.
(due out this month).
 
I do not feel that there is a necessary age limit inherent in the students'
ability to learn and participate in science, but rather each and every
teacher must recognized his or her limits to teach certain age groups.  For
myself, I have difficulty reaching below the fourth grade, but I would not
suggest that a well designed program for this age group not be attempted.
 
Douglas Frink