Field Trip to the Clouds: K-12 Learning on New England's Tallest Peak

An internationally visited and iconic part of New England, Mount Washington has been called the “Home of the World’s Worst Weather” and, consequently, plays host to scientific research, product testing, recreation, tourism, and economic development. More than 400,000 people step foot on its 6,288-foot summit each year. Yet high costs for tickets with the Mount Washington Cog Railway and/or Auto Road make a trip nearly impossible for many families in Coos County and the region. Despite discounts for groups, schools often cannot afford group ticket prices, nor do they have the capacity to create educational programs to adequately interpret this culturally significant site and the cutting-edge weather and climate science that takes place on it.

The Mount Washington Observatory (MWOBS) education team has launched an expanded suite of school-based programs throughout New Hampshire’s White Mountains region, thanks in part to a bequest from the Sheldon Family Estate. This gift has allowed the Observatory to develop and assess K-12 educational programs based on needs and interests expressed by teachers, administrators, students, and families. Opportunities for experiential learning beyond the classroom, especially within rural school districts, was the most common request.

In the spring of 2023 MWOBS welcomed three rural middle school students (grades 6th-8th) from schools in Coos County, New Hampshire, to pilot a school field trip program in partnership with the Mount Washington Cog Railway. Made possible by the Empowering Coos Youth grant from New Hampshire Charitable Foundation's Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund, the pilot program has allowed the Observatory to provide a completely cost-free experience for rural schools that have limited funds to support out-of-classroom trips. MWOBS engaged teachers to form student advisory councils with volunteer student leaders from each school to support the planning process on behalf of their peers. The student leaders selected from a range of topics and activities, aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), which could be conducted during their Mount Washington visit while still connecting with their classroom curriculum. In total, the Observatory hosted over 170 students during this pilot program.

As MWOBS staff continue to gather participant and partner feedback, one thing is clear: the opportunity for students to spend any time on Mount Washington is worth the effort to connect New Hampshire's youth with this important cultural and scientific landmark. Based on conversations with educators around the region, there is significant interest from schools to participate in a field trip experience as part of a broader relationship with Mount Washington. MWOBS will continue their field trip program to provide and serve as a model of low- and no-cost experiential learning programs for rural youth.