Your new favorite class project: 爱污传媒 Arctic Innovation Competition
2024 JR Division competitors presenting their idea, Magic: Ice Show to Bingsu (Shaved Ice) by team members Joanna Peng, Elizabeth Kim, Julia Wang, Pauline Xu, Priscilla Wang, and Naomi Choe.
By Morrow Duszynski
Dec. 12, 2024
At the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the Arctic Innovation Competition (AIC) is
where creativity and problem-solving meet in a celebration of new ideas from the Alaskan
community and beyond. This year, we鈥檙e shining a spotlight on an essential part of
this innovation ecosystem: the teachers who inspire young minds to envision inventive
solutions and present them to the world. With the Classroom of the Future award, sponsored
by Alaska 529, we honor educators who go above and beyond in fostering the next generation
of Alaskan innovators.
North Pole High School teacher Mary McFetridge stands with the Classroom of the Future in 2022, alongside one of her students who won the JR Division fourth place prize.
AIC Is Alaska's original idea contest, free to enter, and open to all ages. Ideas are sorted by participant age into the (18 and older), the (13-17) and the (12 and under). Ideas do not have to be Arctic-based.
The Classroom of the Future award includes a $2,000 educational stipend presented to a K-12 teacher who has actively encouraged student participation in the AIC鈥檚 JR and Cub Divisions. This random selection recognizes that any teacher who promotes creative thinking and innovation inspires future leaders. Alaska 529, committed to advancing education across the state, generously funds this award, empowering teachers to continue shaping Alaska鈥檚 youth.
Previous award recipients include Christopher Benshoof from Lathrop High School and Mary McFetridge from North Pole High School, both of whom have played instrumental roles in introducing their students to the value of innovation and competition. In 2023 and 2024 combined, these teachers encouraged more than 40 students to enter AIC. These educators inspire a passion for problem-solving, teamwork, and entrepreneurial thinking that students carry well beyond the competition. In fact, in 2019, Benshoof entered AIC capturing the third-place prize and the fan favorite award for his idea: .
"The Arctic Innovation Design Competition has been great for introducing the engineering process for students of all ages. To the Cub and JR presenters, you sit on the laps of giants, as I like to say. You are headed to big things and AIC makes this happen.鈥 -Chris Benshoof, 2023 Classroom of the Future Recipient
Chris Benshoof poses with his AIC Fan Favorite Lego trophy after winning the popular vote and third place in the 2019 competition.
For teachers like Benshoof and McFetridge, the Classroom of the Future award is more than just a prize; it鈥檚 a symbol of the work they put into preparing their students for real-world challenges through critical thinking, public speaking, and problem-solving. The students, in turn, gain the confidence and skills needed to make a difference in their neighborhoods, classrooms, and communities.
As we look forward to the 2025 AIC, we鈥檙e excited to see which teacher will join the ranks of those who鈥檝e won the Classroom of the Future award. With every classroom that participates, Alaska鈥檚 future grows a bit brighter. Stay tuned for updates on this year鈥檚 winners and all the innovative ideas from this year鈥檚 competitors!
Submissions are open until Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Alaska time. The 爱污传媒 AIC Final & Awards Ceremony will take place in person at the Westmark Fairbanks Hotel on Saturday, April 19, 2024. Travel stipends are available.
Interested in implementing AIC in your classroom? Contact the Tammy Tragis-McCook at 907-474-6518 to learn more.