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Welcome to Iditarod EDU!
Engaging lessons based on Insider video clips.
Our four-legged correspondents write for all ages.
Collection of all things Iditarod.
Latest EDU Posts
For me, Interviewing the mushers was one of the greatest highlights of the past year. Talking to these great men and women and hearing their take on the race and sport they love so much was surreal, and the depth and breadth of their responses made it even more incredible. Next year I look …
In 2013 I had the honor to be the Iditarod Teacher on the Trail. I had been using the Iditarod as a teaching tool for many years and, after encouragement from insisting parents, I applied for the position. It changed my life. My task this year was to come up with a story about my …
Every teacher who has served as the Iditarod Teacher on the Trail has the same reaction to the question, “Share your most memorable moment from the trail.” The reaction? An immediate sigh followed by an utter feeling of defeat as you know you will never be able to do your journey justice with one memorable …
Iditarod Educators, both near and far, wish to pay tribute to and celebrate Gail Somerville’s life and contributions to Iditarod EDU. Our dear friend, Gail passed away on May 23, 2021. Gail left Los Angeles for the last frontier in 1978. Shortly after arriving in Anchorage she found herself at the Iditarod table at the …
One of the most asked questions I get about being out on the trail is, “What is your most memorable moment?” This question is very challenging for me to answer. There are just too many memories to share. The one thing I love to tell people about Iditarod is the relationships that are formed. I …
I always try to wrap up our study of the Iditarod with a fun activity where the students can really showcase their knowledge they have gained. In this Iditarod Encyclopedia lesson, the students complete a summative writing assessment using the information they’ve learned throughout their study of the Iditarod. The best part is, that …
The Iditarod Trail in 2020 was definitely different from years past. Covid was making its way across the country, and the world was quickly shutting down, but not the Iditarod! I admire the strength and the stability the Iditarod had during this time of unknown. In true Iditarod fashion, we used our 8 traits of …
The idea of awarding a red lantern to the final finisher in a dog race apparently got its start during the Fur Rendezvous races in 1953 as a joke. When the the Iditarod came into existence, the tradition continued. The award has come to represent the preservation and grit needed to finish the race. The …
This winter looked a little different in downtown Anchorage than it normally does. With the Covid restrictions that were in place, sled dogs were not seen downtown taking off from Fourth Avenue for the start of the Fur Rendezvous or the Iditarod Ceremonial Start in March as they traditionally do. As a way to keep …
This month’s question comes from….. Abby What do the dogs eat in the summer? Is it different than during the racing season? What is on the menu for sled dogs? What a sled dog eats is very important to their performance year round.The dogs’ diet affects their overall health, muscle development, and ability to …