Ideas in Action: Sharing Resources - Anthropology For High School Students

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"Anthropology demands the open-mindedness with which one must look and listen, record in astonishment and wonder that which one would not have been able to guess." - Margaret Mead






Having spent two years in pandemic lockdown, in some ways returning to school can be a welcome relief. And when returning to school also means starting high school - it’s a whole different experience. 

I have been interested in biology and specifically learning more about the human body to promote health and prevent illnesses. In talking with an acquaintance about some of my current interests, I was recently introduced to Anthropology. This is the first time, I had heard of it - there was no mention of this field of study in my high school curriculum, so I started to explore it on my own. In this post, I am going to share my initial thoughts and some resources that have been quite helpful in getting to know more about Anthropology as a field.

Simply put, Anthropology can be described as the science of human beings; including the study of our biological, physiological, and cultural characteristics, their evolution, and our place in the modern world including the implications for the future of humans on earth - So essentially what it means to be human!

Broadly, the field of Anthropology is divided into four subdomains, including Archeology, Biological Anthropology, Cultural Anthropology, and Linguistic Anthropology. Each of these subdomains uses a specific set of research methodologies, tools, and techniques with a broader goal of understanding the human experience of the past, present, and future.

Here are some helpful websites to get you started in learning about Anthropology:


  1. American Anthropological Association ( AAA) - Essentially if there was one place to get started in learning more about all things Anthropology - I recommend starting at AAA -  According to their website - AAA is the world’s largest organization of anthropologists with a stated mission to advancing human understanding and applying this understanding to the world’s most pressing problems. Their membership includes practicing and non-practicing members of the Anthropology community, students, and community members who are interested in the work. For more, do check out: https://www.americananthro.org/LearnAndTeach/Content.aspx?ItemNumber=2643

  2. Blogs - 

    1. Sapiens  - An independent digital publication with a stated aim towards making anthropological research accessible to a larger audience nationally and internationally -  https://www.sapiens.org/culture/covid-19-okoboji/

    2. Science Daily - A website dedicated to featuring brief news style short articles highlighting the latest discoveries in broad categories including but not limited to Sciences, Anthropology, Climate Change, and Technology related topics.  https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/03/220323151650.htm

    3. Blog by Patrick Clarkin Ph.D. - Dr. Clarkin is a biological anthropologist and blogs about the long-term impact of war, refugee experiences, and poverty on the growth and health of Southeast Asians https://kevishere.com/2016/04/21/simple-acts-of-kindness-and-love/


There is much to explore and learn about and sometimes, it can be overwhelming to get started. I am hoping that some of the resources and experiences that I am sharing might inspire or help others - If you are reading this and have any suggestions, do share - Thank you for reading.


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