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Engaging lessons based on Insider video clips.


Our four-legged correspondents write for all ages..


Collection of all things Iditarod.

    
    
    
    

 

 

Latest EDU Posts

2025 Educational Trail Mail Design Winner and Finalists

This year’s theme, “Under the Burled Arch in Nome” brought us many fabulous Trail Mail Art Contest entries. Thanks to everyone who participated. Teagan R., age 12, of Omaha, Nebraska has been selected as the artist for the 2025 Trail Mail envelopes.  Teagan’s design was selected by Jon and Jona Van Zyle to be printed …

2025 Trail Mail: Art Design Selected! Sales Are Open!

Please join the Iditarod Education Department in congratulating this year’s Trail Mail art contest winner, Teagan R., age 12.  Teagan’s art was selected by artists Jon Van Zyle and Jona Van Zyle based on artistic design, reflection of the theme “Under the Burled Arch in Nome”, and how accurately the design represents the Iditarod and …

More to Discover: Trail Crew, Dog Sleds, and a Big Reveal!

HAVE YOU HEARD __ Did you know that dog sleds are one of the oldest forms of transportation? It is thought that dog sleds date back to around 1000 AD, when indigenous Arctic peoples would use dog sleds for basic transportation and hunting. The first dog sleds did not have runners and were quite simple …

A Classroom Without Walls: Sleds vs Sleighs … a DeSTEMber lesson!

December is here! The magic of the holidays can be delightful as an educator and overwhelming at the same time. Hopefully the lesson for this month will help alleviate some stress or serve as a time filler when you need a much deserved break.  Sleds vs. Sleighs is a great lesson for almost any age …

More to Discover- Thankful for Snow

I’d like to introduce H.A. Milton (in the photo above), commonly known as Milton the Moose to students at my school. He tagged along on my journey to Alaska last winter and will be by my side on my next trip to Alaska. He is thankful for snow, too, and we have finally witnessed the …

Writing to Mushers 24/25 – Registration is OPEN!

Hello educators! Below you will find all of the information needed to have your students write letters to some of their favorite mushers! 1.  Please read this information and suggestions before writing to mushers.  We only send contact information to educators who are needing the contact information for educational purposes.  We do not release email …

A Classroom Without Walls: Connect with Mushers

A fun time to start bringing the Iditarod into the classroom is in the weeks leading up to the race. In my classroom, students select a musher to follow and then track that musher down the trail. We use the GPS tracker and data from the checkpoints to keep track of each musher and move …

Iditarod Postcard Challenge 24-25

  Join the Iditarod Postcard Challenge!!!! We are looking for classes or homeschool families from several states to round out our sixth annual Iditarod Postcard Challenge! If you join the project, you are committing to sending postcards to each class on the list between the start of school and when the first musher leaves the …

More to Discover: Comparisons, Training and More!

“Just to run that race takes a tough and hardy breed.” As an educator who weaves the Iditarod into my classroom regularly, I often fail to recognize the similarities in teachers and mushers… I’m too busy admiring their athleticism and adaptability to extreme conditions. But have you ever thought about the resilience required for an …

2025 Iditarod EDU Winter Conference: REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

Iditarod Education Winter Conference At the Lakefront Hotel Feb. 25 – Feb. 28, 2025 in Anchorage, Alaska Whether you are a “veteran” or “rookie” Iditarod educator, or just want to include an adventure learning project in your classroom, this conference will be one to remember. Walk away with full lessons and ideas to adapt for …