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HISTORICALLY
SPEAKING ALASKA PATCH PROGRAM 1. In the 1700’s, Russian explorers discovered Alaska and began to use the land for trapping and trading fur. In 1867, the United States acquired Alaska for $7.2 million dollars. Locate Alaska, the 49th state, on a USA map. Find the state capital, the only capital in the United States that cannot be reached by road, on an Alaska state outline. Identify the state bird, flag, and flower. 2. There are four major groups of Native Alaskans each with their own distinct culture. They are known as the Inuit or Eskimos, Aleut, Tlingit, and Athabascan. Choose one item from their unique cultural heritage to experience. Examples are: watching native dancing or a blanket toss; listening to traditional music or native language; or creating a native craft. 3. Did you know that one-third of Alaska is located above the Arctic Circle? The Arctic is covered with ice and snow for most of the year. Animals that live in Alaska's Arctic region must be able to survive long winters and very cold temperatures. Choose two animals or plants to learn more about from the Arctic. What color are they and where do they live? Examples are: caribou, polar bear, Arctic fox, horned puffins, musk ox, or a ptarmigan. http://score.rims.k12.ca.us/activity/alaska/ 4. Susan Howlet Butcher was the first person to drive a dog sled team to the top Mt. McKinley, the highest peak in North America. Dog sled races are a popular sport in Alaska. Learn more about the dog sled racing or mushing. What type of equipment is used? What breed of dogs make the best sled dogs? When are the races and how long are the races? http://www.sleddog.org/ 5. The Aurora Borealis is name given to light displays that brighten the 24 hour winter night sky. Some observers have also called it nature’s fireworks in the sky. Learn more about the Aurora Borealis and create a picture depicting the northern lights. http://www.geo.mtu.edu/weather/aurora/ 6. Alaska has a wide variety of outdoor activities to enjoy. Throw on your parka and choose a region to explore or complete an outdoor activity. Examples are whale watching, horse drawn sleigh ride, glacier tours, white water rafting, kayaking, hiking, or biking. Make sure you have the proper training and equipment before you go on your adventure. If you cannot go on an adventure, you can draw a picture depicting something you would like to do in the Alaskan outdoors. 7. There are many places of historical interest in the state of Alaska. Choose one to visit or learn more about. Examples are: Alaska State Museum, Anchorage Museum of History, Million Dollar Bridge, Alaska Native Heritage Center, or Alaska Sealife Center. 8. Margaret and Olaus Murie founded the Arctic Wildlife Range. Research famous people that lived in Alaska. What did they accomplish and where were they from? Examples are: Joe Juneau, Margaret Elizabeth Bell, Sydney Lawrence, and Virgil F. Partch. 9. The celebrations in Alaska are cultural, educational, and sometimes spiritual. Choose a festival to celebrate or learn more about. Some examples are Festival of Native Arts, Gold Rush Classic, Midnight Sun Festival, Kodiak Crab Festival, and Spirit Days. http://www.alaska.com/events/ 10. In the winter of 1909, two miners climbed without ropes to the south peak of Mt. McKinley. This was called the “sourdough expedition”. Choose two land formations in Alaska to learn more about. Examples include: fjord, caldera, tundra, permafrost, gorge, volcano, seacoast, bush, swamp, glacier, mountain, or plateau. 11. In 1880, Joe Juneau and Dick Harris struck it rich when they found gold in the Alaskian hinterlands. A major gold find along the Klondike River in 1896 caused a full fledged gold rush. Thousands of prospectors flooded to Alaska to search for gold. Name three things made of gold, pan for gems or gold, visit or learn more about Klondike Gold Rush National Park, or create a treasure map for a hidden gold treasure. 12. There are several national parks and one zoo in Alaska. Go on a zoo safari at the Alaska Zoo or visit their internet site OR visit a national park and participate in a program or go on a nature hike. Choose TWO animals, trees, OR flowers to learn more about. 13. Every summer wild berries are picked and preserved to create wonderful recipes and pies. Alaska is also well known for its multitude of fresh seafood served in restaurants and homes across Alaska. Try a recipe or food that is typically served in Alaska. Examples of foods are salmon, crab cakes, blueberry muffins, pecan scones, corn fritters or sourdough pancakes. http://www.alaskawildland.com/alaska-recipes.htm
This patch program will help its participants learn more about the history and sites in this state. If you have the privilege of visiting this state, you can complete some of these requirements there. It would be helpful to learn more about the state prior to your visit. Use the library and the internet to research more. |