Seven teachers provide lessons for elementary, secondary, and university level teachers to use with students.

Lesson packets are in PDF.

Susan Flahive, Virginia

Math: Ryan’s Dog Expenses Technology/Math, Using Excel Spreadsheets, 7th grade and up. This lesson provides students an opportunity to practice math skills and record keeping.

Dean Barron, California

Dogs Count Mathematics/Statistics, Grades 6 – 12. Undergraduate University Level, Measures of Central Tendency and Dispersion.  Students use race data to complete mathematical operations.

Jeannie Wolf, Texas:

Whatever Pulls Your Sled Science, grade 7-8, This lesson can be used as a science project or a science classroom  ‘Friction’ lesson.  Performing an experiment, keeping track of data, and research skills are evident in this lesson.

Amber Baur, California

Iditarod Web Quest All content areas, multidisciplinary, Grade 5 and up.  View a PDF document highlighting Amber’s Web Quest.  Better yet, visit the website and view the Web Quest.

Eric Smith, Minnesota

Podcasting the Last Great Race This lesson was created for use with middle school special education students but is appropriate for grades 4 – 8 as well.  Language Arts/Communications Skills.  Students research and create a podcast.

Julie Howard, North  Carolina

Tales, Traditions, Trails, Bright Eyes and Bushy Tails South Carolina, Grades 3 – 8, Computer/Technology Integration, multidisciplinary.  Research, creative writing, using the GPS Tracker, and other activities to jump start the curriculum.

Lynne Witte, Michigan

Postcards from the Iditarod Trail Reading, Language Arts, Technology, Geography, and History, Grades 2 – 5.  Students research and create postcards that could be sent from checkpoints during the race.

The Scale of It All! Math and Science Activity Packet is for elementary and middle school students and was created by Julie Howard, North Carolina.   These lessons can be adapted to the student’s level.

Research to complete before playing the game.

Math or Science Game (PowerPoint)

• StormReady® classroom resources (PDF 1.35MB)
• A World Of Weather (PowerPoint in a ZIP* file, 501KB)

Are you interested in participating in a special Storm Ready project with other schools?  Click here to find out more.

*About “ZIP” Files:

If the ZIP file doesn’t “un-zip” automatically, try double-clicking on it. If that doesn’t work, you may need to download a free utility program to un-zip it: Stuffit Expander is free for Mac and Windows computers.

Click here! (pdf doc)

Ask any musher what the Iditarod is all about and they will likely say, “It’s about the dogs.” These very special athletes are what draw us to the race. From the very beautiful, but slightly slower, Siberian huskies, to the faster mixed breeds called Alaskan huskies, Iditarod sled dogs are top-of-the-line world class athletes that have capabilities far beyond any human ability. Sled dogs have an amazing ability to adapt to stress. Where a human body would experience fatigue during a long endurance race, sled dogs have the ability to maintain a high level of caloric burn without depleting their reserves of fat and glycogen. This is what makes their metabolic process special and allows them to be able to run for long periods of time without experiencing fatigue. The key to this process is their diet. Sled dogs burn 10,000-12,000 calories per day during a race which is why they are fed top-of-the-line kibble supplemented with fish and other meats that are high in fat. Can you imagine getting to eat salmon on a daily basis? These sled dogs have a higher quality diet than most humans! Iditarod mushers are very particular about the food and quality of care given to their dogs, which creates a loving and trusting bond between musher and dogs. Visit an Iditarod kennel for any period of time and you will feel the warm affection that exists between the mushers and their canine athletes. Because sled dogs have constant interaction and attention from humans from the time that they are born, most of the dogs that run the Iditarod are extremely friendly. They are always interested in giving licks and wrapping their front paws around you as they stand on their hind legs to give you a hug.

Of course, the favorite pastime of a sled dog is running. It is so exciting to see the reaction of Iditarod dogs at the first sign that they will be put in harness for a race or a training run. The synchronized howling and barking is as if they are trying to make themselves stand out so that they will be chosen to be hooked to the line for a run. Once the entire team is chosen, harnessed, and hooked to the line, the excitement that they show is electrifying! Some take a roll in the snow, some begin to try to pull (although the brake is still on), and some will spring up and down off the ground repeatedly. All in an attempt to say to their musher, “Let me run, and let me run NOW!” As the brake on the sled is released and the dogs lunge forward with their sled and musher in tow, they are obviously happy dogs. As they travel their designated trail they quietly operate in sync with one another; each dog focused on going forward. They are in their element and are content with doing what they love and what they do best. These are Iditarod sled dogs who are always ready to run!

Images courtesy of Nikki Allen.  Thanks, Nikki!

Wait for it!  Wait for it!  The pictures change!  Watch carefully!

Click the pictures below to see a larger image.

According to the news reports at this moment, (March 23, 2:22 AM AK time!) the volcano has blown 4 times, starting Sunday evening and and continuing on Monday.

As a precautionary measure, the Iditarod Headquarters in Anchorage, at the Millennium, was closed and the Nome Headquarters became the Official Race Headquarters.   Iditarod staff at the Millennium have begun to cover computers and electronic equipment with plastic so they are prepared if ash clouds reach this area.  Iditarod Volunteers not staying at the Millennium were sent home.

You can learn more about this volcano at the following website:  http://www.avo.alaska.edu/activity/Redoubt.php

With Mt. Redoubt having elevated activity over the last few months, many wonder how the race would be affected if the volcano were to erupt before or during the race. Redoubt is a stratovolcano located on Cook Inlet approximately 105 miles southwest of Anchorage, within Lake Clark National Park. It has an elevation of 10,197 feet and its most recent eruptions have occurred in 1902, 1966-68, and 1989-90. When most people think of a volcano eruption they immediately picture hot red lava spewing from the top of the volcano. Alaska’s volcanoes are quite different, however. When an eruption occurs in Alaska it usually spews ash and not lava, which poses a different hazard to the surroundings. The current threat level of Redoubt is at orange which means that the Alaska Volcano Observatory is on 24-hour watch to constantly monitor activity. The AVO’s monitoring system consists of continuously recording seismometers installed at the volcano where seismic data is then relayed to AVO facilities in Fairbanks and Anchorage. Satellites are also used to provide information that complements seismic monitoring. AVO concentrates heavily on the four Cook Inlet volcanoes because of their close proximity to Alaska population centers.

According to the AVO website, “The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) is a joint program of the United States Geological Survey (USGA), the Geophysical Institute of the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAFGI), and the state of Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys (ADGGS). AVO was formed in 1988, and uses federal, state, and university resources to monitor and study Alaska’s hazardous volcanoes, to predict and record eruptive activity and to mitigate volcanic hazards to life and property. AVO has three primary objectives which are:

*To conduct monitoring and other scientific investigation in order to assess the nature, timing, and likelihood of volcanic activity;

*To assess volcanic hazards associated with anticipated activity, including kinds of events, their effects, and areas at risk; and

*To provide timely and accurate information on volcanic hazards and warnings of impending dangerous activity to local, state, and federal officials and to the public.”

In an interview with Taryn Lopez with the Alaska Volcano Observatory, I addressed the issue of the possible hazards to the Iditarod if Redoubt were to erupt. She immediately mentioned that the main hazard would be ash fall from the volcano. Where the ash went would depend on the winds. During the 1989 eruption, the ash did make it to Anchorage. Although it would always be possible for the ash to head north, Taryn informed me that the consistent winds for Redoubt typically head east. If ash fall did make it to Anchorage, one of the major problems would be with air traffic. Because volcanic ash can shut down a plane’s engines, the Iditarod air force may have trouble getting into and out of the airstrip in Anchorage. This, of course, would cause problems with the flow of people, supplies, and dogs during the race. The second concern with ash fall would be the possible health effects. If proper precautions were not taken the volcanic ash could cause eye, nose, and throat problems for the mushers and dogs. The third and final concern of ash fall would be the possible abrasion to sled runners. Because volcanic ash can scratch glass, if sleds were to run over this ash there would be a good chance that their runner plastic would be damaged.

Although Redoubt could erupt at any time, the activity has been fairly quiet in the last week; they have not been experiencing the highest seismic activity. The small discreet earthquakes in the last week are comparable to what was seen in early January. The best policy in the event of an eruption is to know what precautions to take to avoid any harm by volcanic ash. You can find this information by visiting http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/ash/.

For more information on volcanoes please visit the Alaska Volcano Observatory at http://www.avo.alaska.edu or the USGS at http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/.

Lesson Ideas for Volcanoes

1.      Map the locations of volcanoes in the United States.

2.      Compare the usual natural disasters in Alaska with the usual natural disasters of your state. What are the similarities and differences in the types of things that you need to do to prepare for or react to the disaster.

3.      Study the theory of plate tectonics to assess the early location of landmasses by looking at the location of volcanoes worldwide.

4.      Study the role that plate movement and shifting has on the activity of a volcano.

5.      Explore the interiors of volcanoes and mechanisms of eruption.

6.      Investigate the hazards associated with eruptions of snow and ice covered volcanoes.

7.      Use geologic mapping to determine eruptive histories of active volcanoes.

By Herb Brambley

2010 Target Teacher on the Trail Finalist

Imagine you are a professional athlete getting ready for your playing season, or even a high school athlete.  What is the first thing you have to do before stepping onto the playing field?  That’s right!  Get a physical by a qualified physician and have the paper work signed on the bottom providing proof that you have been examined.  The elite athletes of the Iditarod, the dogs, have to go through the same process. Every dog competing in the Iditarod must be examined by a qualified veterinarian.  Even more than that, every dog must receive an EKG in order to make sure its heart is healthy enough to safely run the race to Nome.

Mushers are evaluating the health of their dogs on a daily basis by asking themselves questions like, are the dogs maintaining their weight? Do they need to have booties on to protect their feet? Do the dogs appear enthusiastic about running or are the listless?  These and other questions are just part of the continuous evaluation by a musher of his or her team.

In order to begin to gain an understanding of this process, students can learn the acronym H.A.W.L.  Hawl, which means turn left if you’re mushing dogs, is also the acronym for Heart and Hydration, Attitude and Appetite, Weight, and Lungs.  The heart and lungs are the two main organs of a mammal that are part of the respiration process.  Weight is also related to respiration in that if a mammal is metabolizing more calories than it is taking in, it will lose weight.  If it is taking in more calories than it is metabolizing, it will gain weight. In order for metabolism to take place properly, oxygen must be present in the blood.  How does the oxygen get into the blood?  It gets there via the lungs. Therefore, the heart, lungs, and weight are all related to each other. Students can gain an understanding of this by doing a few simple lab experiments that require them to check their own pulse at rest, exercise for a short time, and check their pulse again. The following internet site shows this through the use of a lab. http://www.teachervision.fen.com/tv/printables/scottforesman/Sci_5_PBA_D.pdf

The heart is the organ that pumps blood through a mammal’s body. The heart consists of several chambers with valves between them. When the veterinarian is listening to the heart, he is listening for any abnormalities in rhythm or any sounds that may indicate a heart valve that is leaking. The following internet site has videos, animations, and lessons that may demonstrate this to students.

http://www.smm.org/heart/lessons/top.html

You may be wondering what attitude has to do with health.  Dogs are not like people in that they can’t use words to communicate how they are feeling.  Dogs communicate through their actions.  If a dog isn’t feeling well, it will often demonstrate this by restlessness, panting, or drooling.  It may stop eating or drinking or, it may refuse to pull.  Mushers are continually watching for changes in a dog’s habits that could indicate a problem.

In talking with Dr. Stuart Nelson, chief veterinarian for the Iditarod, I learned that diet and nutrition also play important roles in a dog’s overall health.  As mentioned above, diet and cardiovascular function are related to weight.  Proper weight in dogs, just as in humans, is achieved through proper diet and exercise.  A dog’s diet should be low in carbohydrates, and most of its caloric intake should come from fat.  Keep in mind that a dog’s diet is different than a healthy diet for humans.  To view a healthy diet for humans, use the food guide pyramid at the following site.

http://kidshealth.org/kid/stay_healthy/food/pyramid.html

There is an old saying in the horse world, “no hoof, no horse.”  That means if a horses hooves aren’t taken care of properly, the horse won’t be able to be ridden or used for work.  The same holds true for a dog.  A dog’s paws must be taken care of properly or the dog may end up limping and won’t be able to pull effectively.  Mushers maintain good paw health in a few ways. They use booties to protect the paws if trail conditions require, and they put a liniment on them to keep them flexible. Dog bootie activities and uses may be found at the following site.

http://www.iditarod.com/pdfs/teacher/teachervol1complete.pdf

The following site shows a video clip of an actual Iditarod vet check.  It shows blood being drawn for the dogs blood work, and it shows a dog getting an EKG. I suggest that you view the clip before showing it to your students since this may be too graphic for some younger students.

http://spkenneldoglog.blogspot.com/search/label/Iditarod

There are rules that govern the Iditarod race.  Many of these rules have been made to protect the dogs who are the real athletes in this race.  Each musher must be a member of Mush with P.R.I.D.E.  This organization provides standards for dog care and equipment, and is concerned with the public’s perception of dog sled racing. The acronym stands for Providing Responsible Information on a Dogs Environment.  You can get more information at the following web site.

http://www.mushwithpride.org/

And finally, the sites listed below include this year’s Pre-Race Exam Form, the Iditarod Rules, which include specifics that protect these elite dog athletes, pictures of the vet check from last year, and an article that discusses the no doping policy of the Iditarod Trail Committee.

Iditarod Pre race exam form

http://www.iditarod.com/pdfs/2009/2009VetCheckForm.pdf

Iditarod Rules

http://www.iditarod.com/pdfs/2009/2009RulesFinal.pdf

Pictures of the vet check

http://backstage-iditarod.blogspot.com/2008/02/vet-check-iditarod-2008-part-1.html

Clean Race Article

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/2008-02-29-iditarod-doping_N.htm#

Items a musher must have in the sled.

http://www.ultimateiditarod.com/sledcargoFK.htm

Answering the Critics

http://www.mushhusky.com/subject-guides/23-The%20Iditarod%20Fact,%20Not%20Fiction.pdf

Finalist, 2010 Target^® Teacher on the Trail(tm)

In Hollywood and Broadway the show must go on. The same is true for Iditarod.  True, weather conditions might not always be ideal, but the race has started for 37 consecutive years, no matter the weather conditions.

The three main weather factors mushers must consider when running Iditarod are temperature, wind, and snow conditions.  They think about the variety of conditions they might face well in advance of the race by determining what needs to go into a drop bag for each individual checkpoint. Extra plastic runners and a dry pair of socks might really come in handy after a trip across the Farewell Burn when they arrive in Nikolai.

Temperature

For those who live outside Alaska, the first question that comes to mind is, “How cold is it in Alaska during the Iditarod?” The average temperature in Anchorage during March is 25 degrees Fahrenheit. To a human this is cold; to a sled dog with a double insulated coat of fur, it is warm.  Dogs heat up pretty quickly while running in these temperatures.  However, when the temperature decreases in the interior or along the treacherous Bering Sea, the below zero temperatures mean it is time to cover the dogs.  Many dogs will run with a jacket on.  Most dogs run with booties on their feet.  These serve as both insulation and protection against wear. Mushers don special outdoor gear and cover all exposed skin in extreme sub-zero temperatures.

A fun activity to try with your class is a comparison of the temperatures in your town with the temperatures of Anchorage and Nome.  During the race, visit http://www.weather.com and have your students look up the temperature for their city, Anchorage, and Nome and mark them on a chart.  If your students start on Monday after the Official Start and end when the musher they are following finishes in Nome, they should have at least nine days of comparable data.  Infuse technology by placing these temperatures onto a spreadsheet and turn it into a line or bar chart.

Wind

Wind is a big factor on many parts of the trail.  Blizzards can pop up quickly and unexpectedly for mushers on the trail, especially when they get close to the sea along the Bering Coast in Unalakleet or above the Norton Sound in Koyuk.  In fact, the wind blows so strongly on the coast that some villages, like Shaktoolik, have actually moved!  Mushers know that strong winds are to be expected in places like this and have to prepare their teams by training them in similar conditions.

In fact, one storm was quite memorable to Iditarod’s first female champion, Libby Riddles. A deadly blizzard popped up in the Norton Sound during the 1985 race.  Libby led her team out into the storm, and slowly and methodically braved the Arctic elements to come in first place.  I ran into Libby at the Ceremonial Start for the 2009 Iditarod and asked her how she managed to motivate her team to get up and move during this tempest.

“You have to make it a point as a musher to train in all types of weather, especially in storms.  I took my team up to Bering Coast several times for long runs because I knew it was what we had to do.  Iditarod is a race.  You have to be prepared for whatever Mother Nature throws at you if you want to win.”

There are several lessons you may want to try with your students to teach wind.  One idea for pre-school and kindergarten students would be to have fun with bubbles.  Let your students blow bubbles outside if there is a slight breeze and determine the direction of the bubbles, as well as the relative speed of the bubbles based on the wind.  Did the bubbles float away slowly or quickly?  You can compare the speed by blowing bubbles both indoors and out!
Elementary students can complete a Venn diagram to compare and contrast hurricanes and blizzards.

For the secondary student it may be a good time to introduce concepts of wind chill, hypothermia, or the Coriolis Effect.  Iditarod.com is a great place to start for the first two.  2006 Target^® Teacher on the Trail, Terrie Hanke has a couple great lessons you might want try with your students.

http://iditarodblogs.com/tott/tag/lesson-plans-by-terrie-hanke/

Here is a website that offers a student friendly explanation of the Coriolis Effect.

http://www.kidsgeo.com/geography-for-kids/0089-coriolis-effect.php

Snow

Snow conditions are also a factor for mushers.  Luckily, there is plenty of snow for this year’s Iditarod. Regardless of the weather or trail conditions, the race always goes on. In 2003 when trail conditions were so bad due to an unseasonably warm winter, the race start was simply moved to Fairbanks – a first in the history of the race.  When considering trail conditions, the mushers have to think how their sleds are going to pull against the snow.  This is why you will see mushers pack different types of plastics, graphite, and Teflon^® to use on their runners.  Take a look at the items Lance Mackey packed in his sled at the Willow restart.  Do you see the three different color coils of plastic runners?

Upper level students may be interested in the coefficient of friction created with the different runners used on a sled by conducting an experiment on the pulling power of different plastics using a spring scale.  This is a great activity for a teacher with knowledge of Physics or for any student with hopes of running the Jr. Iditarod.  In fact, Iditarod Education Director Diane Johnson’s 7^th grade son titled his science fair project  “Whatever Pulls My Sled.”

For more information on the coefficient of friction click here.

http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/experiments/expfriction_sliding_coeff_scale.htm

Snow conditions are important to mushers and in the lives of the Inupiat of Northern Alaska.  These indigenous people have at least eleven words for snow.

nutagaq: new fresh powder snow

qiqsruqaq: glazed snow in thaw time

sitliq: hard crusty snow

auksalaq: melting snow

aniu: packed snow

aniuvak: snow bank

natigvik: snow drift

qimaugruk: snow drift blocking a trail or a building

aqiluqqaq: soft snow

milik: very soft snow

mitailaq: soft snow on ice floe covering an open spot

How many different names can your students think of for rain, wind, or storms? What words can your students use to describe the weather?

It matters not if the wind is howling across Koyuk or ten inches of nutagak now blanket the Happy Steps. Iditarod is indomitable.  The race must go on.  Now you know why it is the Last Great Race on Earth!