Education

The Mount Washington Observatory is a private, non-profit, membership supported organization. The Observatory performs hourly weather observations of "the world's worst weather" at the summit of 6,288 foot Mount Washington, the northeast's highest peak, and also supports a wide variety of scientific research at its mountain-top facility, 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.

Among the Observatory's educational programs are the following:

Weather Discovery Center

The Weather Discovery Center provides information and interactive exhibits on Mount Washington and the weather that surrounds it. Talk live with the observers on the summit! Tours & group visits are welcome.

Summer EduTrips

A milder version of our Winter EduTrips program, Summer EduTrips provide the opportunity to have an extended, overnight visit to the Observatory, to sample the mountain in some of its many moods, to become personally acquainted with the work of the Observatory, and to learn more about the mountain's weather, environment, and history.

Winter 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 research facility of the Mount Washington Observatory.

Winter Daytrips

The mountain's summit is visited by a quarter-million people in summer, but its winter secrets are known only to a hardy few. You can join this special band through a Mount Washington Observatory Winter DayTrip, allowing a visit to the summit of Mount Washington it its most demanding, most alluring season.

Workshops

Workshops held in the Spring and Fall give participants the opportunity to learn about the glacial geology of the northern White Mountain region, and about the history of geological exploration and understanding of the area.

Weather in the Whites Course

In four course sessions, learn the basics of meteorology with special emphasis on the weather in and around the White Mountain National Forest.

Outreach Programs

Exciting educational programs for schools, camps, Scouts, as well as other groups. Reaching thoughout the Northeast (and beyond), in the Weathermobile, our educators come to your location with experiments, demonstrations and lessons which help both students and teachers understand weather concepts.

The Weather Notebook

The Weather Notebook teaches the science of weather in a 2-minute, light-hearted look at weather fact and folklore. The Weather Notebook radio program is no longer being produced, however the archives are still available.

Observatory Symposia

The Observatory sponsors special symposia which focus on important topics in the sciences and the humanities which are particularly relevant to Mount Washington and its environs. Topics of the conferences have included weather, the glacial geology of the White Mountains, the alpine zone of the White Mountains, the interaction of Native Americans and European colonists in the area, the grand resort hotels and tourism in the White Mountains, and the visual arts and the White Mountains. The symposia draw leading authorities in their respective fields, who share their knowledge with and stimulate the learning of attendees.

Observatory Tours

Tours of the Observatory's summit weather station and research facility are available at no charge to Observatory members. Such tours can normally be arranged at very short notice. Mount Washington summit visitors who wish to tour the Observatory, but who are not yet members, can become Observatory members during their visit, and can take advantage of a reduced-rate introductory membership. During your summit visit, please contact the Summit Museum attendant to become a member and arrange for a tour.

Tours are also available, by advance arrangement, for educational groups of 10 or more. These tours include admission to the Observatory's Summit Museum. Please contact the Observatory by clicking here for further information about group tour fees and the scheduling of such tours.

(Please note that those who are taking part in tours are responsible for their own travel arrangements to and from the summit. The normal season for the Mount Washington Cog Railway and Mount Washington Auto Road (a toll road) is approximately mid-May to mid- or late October, weather permitting. Those who are properly prepared may be able to visit the summit at any time of year, but any one considering a trip on foot to and from the summit should be aware of the substantial challenges and dangers which such a trip can present.)

Mount Washington Museum

Located at the summit of Mount Washington, the Museum provides displays about the weather on the mountain and the reasons for the severity of its meteorological conditions. A special feature of the Museum is the new Weather Discovery Room, which helps visitors explore the weather phenomena of Mount Washington and how they are observed and recorded.

Gladys Brooks Memorial Library

The Observatory's Gladys Brooks Memorial Library is located at the Weather Discovery Center, on Main Street 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. The Library is normally open on Thursdays from 10 to 5 (a call ahead is recommended), and may be accessible at other times by appointment.

Appalachian Mountain Club / Mount Washington Observatory Program on Mount Washington Weather

This overnight residential program is based at the A.M.C.'s visitor center in Pinkham Notch, New Hampshire, on the eastern flank of the mountain. The program includes consideration of general weather topics – cloud formation, highs and lows, warm fronts and cold fronts, causes and types of precipitation – and special attention to Mount Washington's incredible weather. The program is especially geared to middle-schoolers, but could be adapted for other grade levels. For more information on this program, contact the A.M.C. Education Department, P.O. Box 298, Gorham NH 03581, (603) 466-2721.

Mountain High Learning Center

The Observatory is one of several partners in the Mountain High Learning Center, an educational project organized by Hosteling International at their facility in Conway, New Hampshire. The MHLC is a residential program which provides the opportunity for school and other educational groups to design their own educational agenda based on their students' needs and interests. Topics of study can include Forest Ecology, Mountain Weather, Alpine Ecology, and the Natural History of Mount Washington. For more information on this program, contact Hostelling International, 36 Washington Street, Conway NH 03818; (603) 447-1001.

Additional programs may also be listed in our calendar of events.

For more information on the Observatory's Educational Programs, please contact:

Peter Crane, Director of Programs
P.O. Box 2310 North Conway, NH 03860
(603) 356-2137
(800) 706-0432
FAX (603) 356-0307
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