Alcatraz Uncovered

Currently not accepting applications for the 2025-2026 school year.

 

Teacher Workshop

Please keep in mind that this program requires all teachers new to the program to attend a teacher workshop prior to class participation. The Alcatraz Uncovered teacher workshop will take place on (To Be Determined). Please check back for updates on the date and additional details. 

 

Overview

Grades 5 - 8th

Please see link at bottom of page for Alcatraz Uncovered introductory video.

 

 

Ranger talking to a group of students in Alcatraz.

NPS / Kirke Wrench

How can archeology deepen my understanding of a place?

Alcatraz Uncovered excites your students about history's mysteries by using Alcatraz Island as your archeological case study. Besides being a popular national park site, Alcatraz served as a military post from 1854 to 1933, a federal penitentiary from 1934 to 1963, the site of an American Indian fight for sovereignty from 1969 to 1971, nesting site for thousands of birds annually, and the subject of many Hollywood movies. Students will search for clues from each historic era and draw conclusions about daily lives and cultural perspectives and contemplate issues facing individuals within each of these time periods.

Alcatraz Uncovered uses the Understanding by Design framework, incorporates Common Core Standards and Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies. The program is framed by the essential question - How can archeology deepen my understanding of a place?

Program Structure

The Alcatraz Uncovered program is structured in the following three-touch model:

1. Classroom Preparation – Teachers complete 3 pre-lessons delivered with resources provided by the park addressing observation and inference using artifacts and historic photographs. A pre-visit lesson by NPS staff is also offered before the field session – please share details about preferred NPS staff visit in the Education Reservation Request Form.

2. Field Session – the island experience in which students conduct an archeological investigation. Please share details about preferred field visit date in the Education Reservation Request Form.

3. Classroom Assessment – opportunities for students to demonstrate what they have learned through essays and inquiry investigations. Please email or mail back student work to NPS staff.

How to Apply

Step 1: Educators must complete the Education Reservation Request Form.

Step 2: Park staff will reach out to accepted classes after October 15th, 2025 to schedule a date for your class visit and park visit. Please keep in mind, programs on Alcatraz are only offered Wednesday - Friday.

Step 3: New teachers must attend a Teacher Workshop to confirm program dates.

Step 4: Teachers complete pre-site lessons with students before the scheduled Ranger Class visit. Ranger visits the classroom virtually or in-person.

Step 5: Class attends in-person park visit.

Step 6: Teachers complete the post-site lesson and share student work with Rangers.