Minecraft In The Classroom: When Learning Looks Like Gaming
The popular video game Minecraft has made its way into Juneau high school classrooms.
A graduate education course at the University of Alaska Southeast showed teachers how to implement the game in their classes.
KTOO’s Lisa Phu went to a high school algebra class to hear what students have to say about Minecraft – not as a game but – as a learning tool.
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Education Bill Boosts Juneau Community Charter School
The Juneau Community Charter School is getting a 56 percent increase to its budget through an upcoming change in state law. New mandates in House Bill 278 give charter schools more parity with other public schools.
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Tacoma Climber Dies On Denali
Just days into climbing season, a mountaineer has died in an an accident high on Denali. Sylvia Montag, 39, of Tacoma Washington, became separated from her climbing partner around May 5th.
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Juneau Birders Photograph Rare Long-Billed Curlew
A Juneau couple has likely made the first verified sighting of a Long-billed Curlew in Alaska. North America’s largest shorebird, rarely seen in this part of the country, may become No. 502 on the Checklist of Alaska Birds.
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‘I Am A Girl On The Run’
When Molly Barker exclaimed, “I feel beautiful,” the crowd of runners, running buddies, volunteers and family members cheered. When she yelled, “I am a girl on the run,” everyone – female and male alike – shouted, “I am a girl on the run!”
Spotted Seal Pup Found Near Clarks Point Taken to the Alaska SeaLife Center
The Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward has taken in the first stranded marine mammal of the year. The one-week-old spotted seal pup was picked up on April 30th in Clarks Point and flown by Grant Aviation and PenAir to Anchorage. From there the pup was taken to the SeaLife Center in Seward.
Olympic Aspirations: Training At The Alaska Boxing Academy
Alaska isn't exactly known as a hotspot for boxing talent, but an Olympic caliber coach is hoping to change that. He started the Alaska Boxing Academy two years ago and already has a few athletes who are dreaming big about competing nationally and internationally.
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AK: 2014 Rusty Blackbird Blitz
Rusty Blackbirds are beginning to show up in Alaska for their annual migration to breeding grounds in our boreal wetlands. But researchers are worried that the once abundant bird is disappearing, and they don't know why.
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Alaska Democratic Party Holds Convention In Nome
The Alaska Democratic Party ended its weekend convention in Nome on Sunday with resolutions on issues ranging from Alaska Native rights to same-sex marriage and came away with a full lineup of candidates for key November races.
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New Equipment Means New Opportunities For Polar Bear Treatment
As companies look to expand oil and gas exploration in Alaska, many worry about the possibility of a spill and how wildlife – including polar bears – would be cared for. New equipment has given the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service the capability to treat polar bears on the scene, which, until now, hasn’t been a possibility.
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Tyonek Fire Grows To 1,800 Acres
Two Southcentral Alaska fires have grown in size since Wednesday afternoon, covering the Anchorage area in smoke Thursday morning.
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Funny River Fire Hits 67,000 Acres
The Funny River fire on the Kenai Peninsula has topped 67,000 acres. The combination of Memorial Day weekend and extreme fire conditions have firefighters concerned.
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Conditions Challenging As Funny River Fire Grows to More Than 140,000 Acres
Amid strong winds and dry conditions the Funny River fire has continued to advance through the weekend. State Fire Information officer Michelle Weston said this evening the fire has grown well past 140,000 acres although she did not have a new estimate.
Crews Continue to Battle Funny River Fire; Rain Forecasted
Video by Sonya Wellman - Alaska Public Media
The Funny River Fire continued to burn the central Kenai Peninsula this week. As of Monday afternoon, it’s estimated to have burned more than 158,000 acres with 30% containment. Funny River Road from Mile 7 to the end was evacuated on Sunday afternoon. The Kenai Keys were put on evacuation alert.
Evacuation Order Lifted for Funny River Road Residents
Residents of the Funny River Road community were allowed to start returning to their homes as state fire officials lifted the evacuation order at 9 am this morning. Although all evacuation orders have been suspended at this time, residents were cautioned that there is still an evacuation advisory in place which could result in another evacuation order should conditions change.
Funny River Fire Brings Community Together
Hooligan’s Lodging became one of Soldotna’s main hubs during the evacuation. Though most evacuees have returned home, the hotel is ready in case the fire moves toward the community again. KSKA’s Anne Hillman stopped by.
Rain, Lack Of Wind Slows Funny River Fire Growth
Fire crews Wednesday morning mapped the Funny River fire out to be nearly 183,300 acres. Tom Lavagnino, with the incident management team, says the rain has helped a little bit, but it’s not the biggest reason the fire’s growth has slowed.
Rain, Little Wind Helps Firefighters Combat Funny River Fire
Light rain and little wind has helped keep the Funny River fire from growing much for the past two days. It is 30 percent contained and as of Wednesday afternoon, it is estimated to have burned more than 183,000 acres on the central Kenai Peninsula.
Lower Skilak Lake Campground, Boat Launch Reopens
The Funny River fire is holding steady at just over 192,831 acres and is considered 46 percent contained.
AK: A Musical Celebration
Alaskans have had some big anniversaries this year: The ‘64 earthquake and the Exxon Valdez oil spill among them. Acoustic musicians celebrated their own anniversary last month in Juneau: the Alaska Folk Festival’s 40th. The week of concerts attracts hundreds of singers, pickers and strummers and thousands of fans from around the state.
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