What Does the Dirt Say? Teaching the Bible with Evidence, Inquiry, and Engagement
When Dirt Tells a Story
In an age of information overload and skepticism, students need more than content—they need conviction. They don’t just want to know what is true. They want to know why it’s true—and how they can trust it.
That’s where archaeology comes in.
A shard of pottery. A crumbled scroll. A weight used in the temple trade. These aren’t just museum pieces. They’re tangible evidence—teaching tools that invite students into the story of scripture through investigation, analysis, and wonder.
At The Masterpiece Academy, we don’t just teach students to believe. We teach them to inquire, think critically, and connect truth across disciplines. That’s the heartbeat behind our new professional development experience:
Unearthing Connections : Teaching Through Archaeology Across Bible, History, Science, and Literacy in K–12
A free, self-paced PD course for educators attending the 2025 Educators Conference at the Museum of the Bible (July 28–29, 2025).
This certificate-earning course equips K–12 teachers—whether in charter, public, or homeschool settings—to bring archaeology into the classroom as a cross-curricular catalyst.
You'll dive into five hands-on modules:
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Why Archaeology Belongs in Every Classroom
Reframe archaeology not as an “extra,” but as a core bridge between faith and learning. -
Tools of the Dig
Explore ready-to-use simulations (layer digs, shoebox digs, grid digs) and materials for every grade band. -
Teaching the Bible Through Archaeology
Connect ancient discoveries to specific scriptures like Isaiah 53 or the Dead Sea Scrolls through case studies and journaling routines. -
One Dig, Many Disciplines
Use one archaeological prompt to teach ELA, science, history, math, and the arts—with a design matrix to plan it all. -
Build Your Own Dig-Based Unit Plan
Create your own inquiry-driven, scripture-rooted unit using our editable lesson planners and 5E model templates.
The Masterpiece Academy is an affiliate of Liberty University Online Academy, offering hybrid instruction that is grounded in biblical truth and academic excellence. Students receive both online and in-person support, as well as enrichment in STEM, reading, and writing.
Explore enrollment and admissions options for the upcoming school year.
The latest episode of our Learning by Design podcast, Why Dig? Why Now?, explores the urgent “why” behind this movement. Host Krishna Cart, founder of Masterpiece Academy, breaks down the core ideas behind the course and shares a compelling mini-lesson.
Students examine artifacts—like scroll fragments or clay lamps—then use the See, Think, Wonder routine to ask:
What does this object say about the people of the Bible?
Does it support what I’ve read in Scripture?
Coaching & PD for Schools and Districts
For schools and districts seeking in-depth support, we offer comprehensive professional development and instructional coaching. Whether you’re a Christian school leader or a district curriculum team, we provide:
- Custom PD workshops
- Faith-integrated curriculum coaching
- Inquiry-based Bible integration
- Support for charter and hybrid models