Imagine waking to howling sled dogs at a mushers’ kennel along Alaska’s historic Iditarod trail while learning about the rich science and history of “The Last Great Race.” A Cache Valley educator will have the opportunity to do just that through a unique educational experience offered by local Iditarod musher Sue Morgan.

Morgan, a lecturer in Utah State University’s Geology Department who sets off on her second Iditarod attempt March 1, is sponsoring a contest to send one local teacher to the 2008 Idita-Summer Camp for Teachers June 22-28 in Wasilla, Alaska.

 

“I just want my adventure to benefit others,” Morgan says. “I am interested in science education and believe it is important to reach out to students in grade school.”

 

Morgan competed in the 2006 event but had to drop out after a crash on a treacherous descent near Rainy Pass, where the Iditarod trail crosses the Alaska Range. Undaunted, she looks forward to this year’s challenge and wants to share the excitement of the race and North America’s last frontier with local youths.

 

“No musher has ever approached us about doing this, so this is a ‘first’ and a very important ‘first,’” says Diane Johnson, education director for the Iditarod. “Sue’s offer is really incredibly exciting.”

 

Johnson says thousands of educators from all 50 states and many other countries have participated in the race’s teacher conferences, which are held twice a year. The conferences offer ideas to integrate varied aspects of the Iditarod into the teaching of math, science, geography, history, art and writing.

 

“Teachers have recognized that there’s something about (the Iditarod) that captures the minds of students of all ages and hooks them into learning,” she says. “It’s great that the connection of the race to classroom education is recognized by mushers, too. Perhaps more mushers will follow Sue’s lead.”

 

Johnson notes that Morgan’s gesture is especially generous given that travel to Alaska for teachers “from the lower 48” is expensive. As an Iditarod musher, Morgan is already making a significant personal investment to participate in the race and has procured her own sponsors to fund her dog sled team’s attempt.

 

USU’s College of Science and Department of Elementary Education are providing organizational support for Morgan’s Cache Valley ‘Idita-Teacher’ Contest and the college is hosting the contest Web site. The competition is open to any K-12 educator currently teaching in the Logan or Cache school districts or Cache County private schools.

 

USU College of Science Dean Mary Hubbard says Morgan’s contest creates a great opportunity for local educators and students. “What is teaching if there isn’t learning?” Hubbard says, “And how much better student learning can be if the teacher has been learning, too. It is a pleasure for me to see our College of Science teachers find creative ways to share their experiences and to involve teachers in the community.”

 

Contest applicants are asked to submit an application with a detailed lesson plan incorporating information and data from the Iditarod, along with an essay describing how participation in the conference could benefit students. Applications are available online or by contacting Blair Larsen in USU’s Academic Resource Center at blairlarsen@msn.com or 797-0215.

 

Deadline for submissions is May 1 and the winner will be announced May 15.

 

For those who can’t take part in the conference, the Iditarod offers a wealth of educational materials on its Web site for students of all ages, including the popular “Zuma’s Paw Prints” site, which offers a canine athlete’s point of view.

 

“Most kids love dogs,” Morgan says. “I also love dog sledding and feel (the contest) is a way to bring this unique sport to others and to help them understand more about the dogs and the mushers that participate in Iditarod.”  

 

To follow Morgan’s journey, watch for daily online Iditarod updates. 

 

 

 

Contacts: Sue Morgan [sue.morgan@usu.edu]; Blair Larsen [blairlarsen@msn.com], 435-797-0215
Writer: Mary-Ann Muffoletto [maryann.muffoletto@usu.edu], 435-797-1429

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