At this year’s Burroughs Community School Read-A-Thon, Science and Social Studies Adventures (SASSAk12) brought the thrill of exploration straight to the classroom. With the power of books and interactive learning, second-grade students didn’t just hear about a trailblazing fossil hunter—they stepped into her world! Thanks to the Anthropological and Mathematical Analysis of Archaeological and Zooarchaeological Evidence (AMAAZE) research consortium who connected SASSAk12 to Burroughs Community School, SASSAk12 had the opportunity to introduce young learners to the excitement of real-world research. Young learners got an up-close look at what it means to be a scientist. They listened to the inspiring story of Fossil Huntress: Mary Leakey, Paleontologist, engaged with real archaeological tools, and each class received a Paleo Play Kit to continue the adventure.

Want to see how a simple story sparked big questions, bold curiosity, and maybe even the next generation of explorers? Read on to discover how Burroughs Community School and SASSAk12 are making reading and science accessible, exciting, and unforgettable!

On February 21-22, 2025, SASSAk12 had the privilege of participating in the Council for Minnesota Archaeology (CMA)’s annual conference. This event brought together professionals, students, and community members to discuss cutting-edge archaeological research, career pathways, and ethical stewardship of Minnesota’s rich cultural heritage. SASSAk12 contributed by hosting an interactive table at the job fair/exhibition hall, engaging attendees with hands-on learning activities and fostering connections with potential volunteers, donors, and collaborators. Our presence at CMA underscored the importance of accessible, community-based education in archaeology and highlighted the value of interdisciplinary partnerships. Click the image above or the link below to read more about SASSAk12’s activities at the CMA conference. Can you guess what SASSAk12 offered at their table that set us apart from all the other participants?

Dr. Erin Crowley-Champoux has worn many "hats" as an anthropological and environmental archaeologist. From field archaeologist, to Fellow, to supervisor, faunal analyst, and postdoctoral researcher... now she finds herself with a new hat on: that of a climate scientist and ethnographer. In a world where climate is changing drastically and impact the lives of people all over the world, the need for social scientists who can operate at the intersection of anthropology and climate research to combat the climate crisis is more important than ever. Learn how Erin, a past SASSAk12 volunteer, is navigating this new space and responding to the call for more anthropologists to put on this particular hat.

Dr. Katherine Erdman was a big part of SASSAk12 in it's early years - leading efforts to develop partnerships in Alaska and serve as editor for a collection of published works on public engagement and education, including a chapter by some of the SASSAk12 team! Inspired by the SASSAk12 mission that she had a hand in formalizing, she has taken her passion to prioritize community and inclusivity all the way to Kazakhstan! Read more to hear about her amazing work abroad.

Chrissy Goodwin was one of the earliest members of the SASSAk12 community, and she went on to build her own community informed by her passion to ensure the persistence of Indigenous practices, beliefs, and values - including community members from around the world. We are grateful to have been part of that community. We invite you to take a moment to remember Chrissy, and consider joining her family and loved ones at her Celebration of Life on Saturday, Aug. 31, and helping to honor her last wish to have her ashes scattered in New Zealand.

Sir Isaac Newton once said, “If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” It may be strange to think that the brilliant giants of science, like Sir Isaac Newton, once started out like all of us - curious and eager to find their place in the world. Today, we face different challenges that make that climb to the top of the career ladder far from easy. We want to share the many ways that we want to and can support you in your journey to achieve your educational and career goals, even if it is somewhere other than the giant’s shoulder. Who knows? Knees and toes might be a fun landing spot too!

When you think about teeth what comes to mind? Maybe you think about how annoying it is to have to brush and floss them every day for our entire lives. Or maybe you find yourself wishing for straighter teeth - or at least teeth unlike the classically awful British teeth that we grow up hearing so many jokes about. Or maybe you don’t think about teeth at all. If that’s the case, you’re missing out! SASSAk12 volunteers, Samantha Gogol and Risa Luther, went to the Bell Museum’s SciPride this year to tell the public just how much we can really learn from teeth! Turns out, it’s quite a lot…

So you think you know everything about the famous, but fictional, archaeologist Dr. Indiana Jones? Well, think again. Dr. Ivy Faulkner, one of SASSAk12’s past volunteers, recently brought archaeology to Phoenix Fan Fusion, along with other panelists (Dr. Charlotte Till from Phoenix College and Rebecca Harkness from the University of Arizona) to challenge Indy’s suggestion that “it belongs in a museum.”

Welcome to the new SASSAk12 website! For those of you lucky enough to be new to everything that SASSAk12 has to offer, welcome. And to those of you who have been members of the SASSAk12 community since its conception in 2015, welcome back. We hope you enjoy the new look and will take a moment with us to reflect on how far we’ve come and the exciting new places we will take SASSAk12 on this next stage of our journey.

Interested in helping students connect science and social studies to their communities and the world around them? Learn how here!

We know that Covid-19 has caused a lot of stress and anxiety for educators, students, and families. Though SASSA is unable to run our programs as usual, we are determined to help in ways that we are able. One thing we can do is to help people stay connected. Social distancing doesn’t mean we can’t […]

Inspired by what she learned from SASSA in the Classroom’s modules on flooding and natural disasters, a student created Earth.Hacks, an Instagram dedicated to small changes to help the environment. Read our interview with her in which she explains the motivations and goals behind her initiatives.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 11/7/2019 https://www.sassak12.org Science and Social Studies Adventures Looks for the Next Generation of Scientists Organization Offers New Research Opportunities for K-12 Students MAPLE GROVE, Minnesota: Science and Social Studies Adventures (SASSA), a youth-focused education and research organization, announced the start of two new free programs for K-12 students. The first […]

The 2019 Monarch Festival is approaching! Learn about this free event.

The Minnesota State Fair is a feast for the senses. There are also thousands of events and opportunities for hands-on learning scheduled for this year’s fair. Here are some of the best locations to check out during your visit: the DIRT demonstration area Demonstrations here show how to grow both flowers and vegetables and how […]

A graduate student’s research brings together communities and researchers to protect wild rice

Learn how you can get SASSA programming into your K-12 school this year!

Read about the winner of Google’s 2018-2019 Science Fair, a global competition for students between the ages of 13 and 18 who are changing the world!

We get to hear about Michael Murphy’s summer internship at Craters of the Moon National Monument!

Looking for an opportunity to help with some environmental research this weekend? Know of a spring on your property or spot one while hiking in the woods? The Minnesota DNR wants to know about it! They have a reporting app that allows you to contribute to the Minnesota Spring Inventory! Just download the app, follow the […]