Saving Ancient Studies Alliance (SASA) is proud to have been awarded an honorable mention in the NJCH Katz Prize for Humanities Outreach Projects in New Jersey. We are thrilled to have been recognized for our outstanding Archaeogaming Education Program, which has been developed with support by New Jersey Council for Humanities (NJCH).
The NJCH Katz prize, established in celebration of the Council's 50th founding anniversary and in tribute to the esteemed scholar and longtime NJCH board member Stan Katz, aims to acknowledge and celebrate a New Jersey-based organization that has showcased notable commitment and influence in recent community-focused public humanities initiatives within the state. This prestigious award serves as a recognition of significant contributions to the public humanities landscape, reflecting dedication, impact, and meaningful engagement with diverse communities across New Jersey.
Kickstarted with support from NJCH in 2021 and bolstered with additional funding in 2023, SASA has been dedicated to targeting middle school educational settings in New Jersey through the innovative concept of Archaeogaming, which involves using commercial video games as an educational tool to teach ancient history and cultures.Â
Our program provides polished engaging videos and supplemental materials that cater to a wide range of students and teachers. By bridging the gap between the past and present in a creative way, SASA helps educators leverage media that resonate with young students to enhance their learning experience. Since 2023, our program has made a significant impact in classrooms not only in NJ but across the United States and abroad. We have developed six Archaeogaming modules (AEMs), each supporting a different lesson on ancient studies. And thanks to the success of our initiatives, SASA was recently awarded an NEH grant to further expand our reach to the undergraduate level. By offering free, easily accessible, and implementable materials, we support excellent and engaging teaching in underserved schools.
The positive feedback we have received confirms that incorporating video game elements into education not only captures students' attention but also fosters familiarity and engagement. Our AEMs have successfully immersed thousands of students in learning about the ancient world, demonstrating the program's effectiveness in making ancient studies more accessible and inclusive. By nurturing communities of learning in schools, SASA is proud to provide educators with the tools to empower students to explore historical concepts with empathy, inclusivity, and a deeper understanding of different cultures. We are honored to be acknowledged for our commitment to advancing humanities and ancient studies in schools across New Jersey and beyond.
Link to SASA's Honorable Mention:
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