Tag: Alaska

Classroom Ideas, Current Event Connection, Geography In the News, Main

Watch Western Wildfires Burn After Years of Drought

ENVIRONMENT Fires raging across the American West have set records for size and property damage, badly stretched firefighting resources, and cost the lives of three firefighters. (Nat Geo News) Watch our video to see how fires are fought from land, sea, and air. Discussion Ideas According to Nat Geo News, what three major factors have contributed to 2015’s devastating fire season? Drought. California and the … Continue reading Watch Western Wildfires Burn After Years of Drought

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Classroom Ideas, Current Event Connection, Geography In the News, Main

McKinley vs. Denali: What’s in a Name?

UNITED STATES This week, the name of the 6,194-meter (20,320-foot) peak in Alaska changed from Mount McKinley to Denali. Nat Geo explains why the peak has so many names, whether its new one is really permanent, and how mapmakers will handle the change. (Nat Geo News) Use today’s simple MapMaker Interactive map or our 1-page map of Alaska to put “the great one” in perspective. … Continue reading McKinley vs. Denali: What’s in a Name?

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Classroom Ideas, Current Event Connection, Geography In the News, Main

Of Cod and Climate

SCIENCE Ancient cod bones unearthed at an Alaska archaeological site carry a very modern warning for a world with a rapidly changing climate—as sea levels rise, so do levels of mercury in the food web. (Alaska Dispatch News) Use this activity to learn more about marine food webs. Teachers, scroll down for a short list of key resources in our Teachers’ Toolkit. Discussion Ideas The Alaska … Continue reading Of Cod and Climate

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Classroom Ideas, Current Event Connection, Main

What Makes a Great Sled Dog?

SPORTS A mixed heritage gives sled dogs their love of running, a desire to work, and a need for wild places. And right now, sled dogs around the world are busy preparing for the upcoming racing season, including the premier event—Alaska’s Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. (National Geographic News) See what it takes to be a vet at the Iditarod. Teachers, scroll down for a … Continue reading What Makes a Great Sled Dog?

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Classroom Ideas, Current Event Connection, Geography In the News, Main

Alaska Weathers the Storm

ENVIRONMENT The National Weather Service says there have been no reports of injuries or serious damage in the monster storm that smacked into the western Aleutians over the weekend. (Alaska Dispatch News) Use our resources to understand extreme natural events in Alaska. Teachers, scroll all the way down for a short list of key resources in our “Teachers’ Toolkit.” Discussion Ideas Read through our activity … Continue reading Alaska Weathers the Storm

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