She doesn’t really need to start working on anthropology now- it’s a field that is best done in higher education.

Id say she should look into the subfields and do extracurriculars aligned but not identical. For example, dc’s friend was a Protest photographer, and wrote her common app about how an education in anthropology will fuel her to both understand her culture and depictions of culture better

Thanks all!

Archeology - It was a good suggestion. Maybe a summer program or a summer class?

Kid just did research on how different groups of people have used a specific material possession over time; what value a society puts on it; cultural, religious, and moral implications, and more?

New sophomore in HS. But is kind of obsessed with topic.

These are good suggestions. Kid already writes for school paper too. And does peer volunteer work.

PSA - This is where AI can really shine. Ask the question, pick a few ideas that seem interesting, and ask for follow up examples. (Nothing against our collective brilliance here on DCUM, but first-cut idea generation is one of AI’s superpowers.)

This is from Claude:

Q: What are some activities a high school student can do to explore an interest in anthropology?

A: Here are some activities a high school student can do to explore an interest in anthropology:

- Read introductory anthropology books and articles to gain a broad understanding of the field.
-Visit local museums with anthropological exhibits, especially those focusing on human cultures and archaeology.
-Participate in local archaeological digs or fieldwork opportunities, if available.
-Join or start an anthropology club at school to discuss topics and organize related activities.
-Conduct small-scale ethnographic projects in your community, observing and documenting local customs and cultural practices.
-Attend lectures or workshops on anthropology at nearby colleges or universities.
-Practice cultural relativism by engaging with people from different backgrounds and trying to understand their perspectives.
-Learn a new language, as linguistics is a crucial part of anthropology.
-Watch documentaries about different cultures, human evolution, and archaeological discoveries.
-Volunteer at cultural centers or organizations that work with diverse communities.
-Start a blog or journal to document your observations about human behavior and cultural differences.
-Explore digital anthropology by analyzing online communities and social media trends.

Would you like me to elaborate on any of these suggestions or provide more information about specific areas of anthropology?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Digging in the dirt?

That’s archaeology.

My bad. Maybe going to observatories?

At the digs I participated in we had both archaeologists and sometimes anthropologists present. The fields work hand in hand.

I'm the actual poster who suggested it. Not a troll, but then a troll started posing as me and took it to the crazy. Sorry OP it was a genuine suggestion.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Digging in the dirt?

That’s archaeology.

My bad. Maybe going to observatories?

At the digs I participated in we had both archaeologists and sometimes anthropologists present. The fields work hand in hand.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Digging in the dirt?

That’s archaeology.

My bad. Maybe going to observatories?

LOL OK I see what you’re doing here. I figured you were dumb, but you’re just a troll.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Digging in the dirt?

That’s archaeology.

My bad. Maybe going to observatories?

Anonymous wrote:Anything that aligns with an interest in understanding people, cultures, and societies. For my kid, that meant courses in African American history, gender and sexuality studies, and film and literature studies; volunteer work; activities like theater, newspaper, and peer mentoring.

+1 it's applicable to a lot of fields.

What in particular does your kid like about anthropology? That can help guide more specific reccs

Anonymous wrote:Digging in the dirt?

That’s archaeology.

Anything that aligns with an interest in understanding people, cultures, and societies. For my kid, that meant courses in African American history, gender and sexuality studies, and film and literature studies; volunteer work; activities like theater, newspaper, and peer mentoring.

My college boyfriend (still a friend of mine) was an anthropology major

He wound up a lawyer

I’ve found:

Volunteering at history museum
Archeology classes/trips/programs
Starting a club at school

hmm my DD is about to graduate with a degree in anthropology but has no hobbies or interests that align. She went in as a pre-med and took a medical anthropology class that she loved so eventually dropped the pre-med and added a bioethics minor. She is not particularly interested in archeology or similar and is very interested in health equity and policy. She'd like to pursue a career in the classes but she's had great nonprofit internships that will probably direct where she goes with her career more than her major. Its a great major for writing, reading and analysis.

Digging in the dirt?

For my soph HS kid, who is working on a project this fall related to material anthropology in a history/social sciences class.

Kid found some other materials and doing some random independent reading/research.

I’d like to encourage…. what types of activities or hobbies or interests align with this academic area?