Bringing History to Life: An Evaluation of the Penn Museum’s Unpacking the Past Program

Philadelphia is home to a vibrant network of cultural institutions that provide enriching educational experiences for students in the School District of Philadelphia. Among them, the Penn Museum’s Unpacking the Past (UtP) program engages more than 6,000 middle school students annually in a two-part, hands-on experience that introduces them to the museum’s world-renowned archaeological and anthropological collections. Research for Action (RFA) conducted an evaluation of the UtP program to explore how students and teachers experienced the initiative, assess outcomes for participating students, and identify program elements that contributed to positive impacts—as well as areas for growth. The evaluation drew on student and teacher survey data from 40 Philadelphia schools, along with focus groups and classroom observations, to provide a comprehensive understanding of the program’s effectiveness.