Educational programs of the Mount Washington Observatory

The Mount Washington Observatory is a private, non-profit, membership supported organization which maintains a permanently staffed weather observatory at summit of New Hampshire's Mount Washington. At 6,288 feet, Mount Washington is the highest peak in the northeast United States, and is known for having "the world's worst weather." The Observatory makes and reports hourly weather observations and also supports a wide variety of scientific research, including environmental monitoring, atmospheric research, and equipment testing. Additionally, the Observatory is involved in many educational efforts which seek to inform individuals about the many significant aspects of weather, area history, and the mountain environment.

This session will introduce participants to the weather on Mount Washington and the programs of the Mount Washington Observatory. Details will be provided on some of the Observatory's educational offerings, including the following:

EduTrips

The Mount Washington Observatory EduTrip Program provides an opportunity for properly prepared individuals to encounter the summit of Mount Washington in winter. The educational value of the visit is enhanced by the instruction in subjects pertinent to the mountain environment offered by experienced instructors. Travel to and from the summit is effected by snow tractor, and overnight accommodations are provided at the summit observatory. EduTrips focus on such diverse subjects as mountain photography, mountain meteorology, the glacial geology of the White Mountains, the natural history of Mount Washington, and life and work atop Mount Washington. Some trips have been specially designed for teachers, encouraging them to bring weather and Mount Washington into their classrooms.

Observatory Tours

Tours of the summit weather station and research facility are available to Observatory members and educational groups. Tours can include visits to the work quarters, living quarters, and instrument tower, weather permitting.

Mount Washington Museum

The Mount Washington Museum is located on the summit of Mount Washington, and includes exhibits about the weather on the mountain, and the natural and human history of the White Mountains.

Weather Discovery Center

The Mount Washington Observatory's Weather Discovery Center is an interactive museum in North Conway, New Hampshire, designed to enhance awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the atmosphere, its complexity, its impact on the human experience, and the many ways in which atmospheric phenomena are observed and interpreted. The Weather Discovery Center is the result of a collaboration between the Mount Washington Observatory and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Forecast Systems laboratory.

Gladys Brooks Memorial Library

The Observatory's Gladys Brooks Memorial Library is located in North Conway, New Hampshire. The Library features a large collection of materials related to the White Mountains. It includes books, maps, prints, photographs, and artifactual material. Strongest holdings are in historical material, but the sciences are also represented.

Mount Washington Observatory Web Site

The Mount Washington Observatory web site:<< http://www.mountwashington.org/>> provides visitors with a virtual trip to Mount Washington. Highlights of the web site include, current and archived weather data, web cams on Mount Washington and surrounding peaks, a photo gallery, information about membership, programs and visiting the mountain and a on line shop of weather and mountain books, prints and materials.