Dear Teachers,

Sled Dog Ed

The teacher from our local school stopped by to visit me about some interesting Iditarod ideas she had for her classroom. The students had been discussing how through the Iditarod years sleds have been modified, equipment has been enhanced, training of dogs has improved, and the terrain of the Iditarod Trail has changed. She was wondering how all of that affected, if any, the winning times throughout the years. Great concept to think about! As she and I talked further, we came up with some questions for your students to investigate regarding the differences in winning times and Red Lantern times throughout the decades. Remember, the Red Lantern Award is given to the last musher who crosses the finish line in Nome.

So here are the questions the teacher plans to pose to her class upon returning to her school: (To find the answers, you can use the Iditarod.com Home Page>Race Center>Race Archives and click on the years 1973 and 2015 to find times or go to Iditarod.com Home Page>About>Champions & Record Holders.)

1. What is the difference between the first place time in 1973 and that of 2015? (11 days, 6 hours, 36 minutes, 35 seconds)
2. What is the difference between the Red Lantern time in 1973 and that of 2015? (18 days, 17 hours, 49 minutes, 10 seconds)
3. What could be the reasons for shorter finishing and Red Lantern times throughout the years? (faster breeds, better trails, better sled manufacturing, changes in dog training programs, etc.)
4. Using the Red Lantern finish time for 2015, is that time faster than any winning teams in previous years? (Yes) How often has that happened? (1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1985)

Although these might seem to be relatively simple questions, they will require your students to be diligent in their efforts to locate the information, calculate the results, and analyze the data. These questions meet the Common Core Math Standards in the domains of: Number & Operations; Ratios & Proportional Relationships; Operations & Algebraic Thinking. Students might even work cooperatively with partners or small groups to come up with the results and analysis.

I know I am slowing down since my retirement, but don’t count me out. I still have plenty of zip in my step, spirit and drive. Believe me….I can outrun some of the younger pups at the kennel!!! Have fun investigating these mathematical time problems.

~Sled Dog Ed