Distance Learning
Home of the World's Worst Weather!
The tallest point in the northeastern United States and strategically located at the convergence of three major storm tracks, the summit of Mount Washington is battered year-round by some of the most extreme conditions on the planet. Nowhere else on Earth is found such a consistent combination of sub-zero temperatures, hurricane-force winds, freezing fog and driving snow.
Through interactive video conferencing, your class will go live to the summit of Mount Washington and learn about climate and weather from the people who know it best: the hardy men and women living and working in the Observatory's legendary summit weather station. They'll share their first-hand knowledge and experience in an exciting, interactive format. Close that textbook and enter the alpine zone!
designed for grades 4-12
Designed to fit the New Hampshire Frameworks and National Education Standards, each program runs approximately one hour, and is adapted to fit your class schedule.
Observing Mount Washington's Weather
What exactly is a meteorologist and how do they make a forecast? Forget the suits and ties – enter the exciting and sometimes dangerous world of our mountaintop crew! Find out who these intrepid scientists are, how they collect data, what kind of data they collect, and how they translate the data into information we can use.
Fundamentals of Climate
We've all heard about climate in the media, but do we really understand what it is? Learn first-hand from the experts living on the summit of Mount Washington, a place so unique that although it is located in the temperate zone, it actually experiences the conditions of a sub-arctic climate.
Life and Work at the Mount Washington Observatory
Every hour, Mount Washington Observatory's meteorologists venture into the elements to measure and record weather data – even when temperatures drop well below zero and winds exceed 100 mph! Find out what it takes to get the job done from the men and women who live the adventure. Your students will never think of scientists the same way again!
Custom Programs
Can't find the program you're looking for? The experienced staff of the Mount Washington Observatory will custom design a program to fit your unique specifications and curriculum needs.
at just $195
Much less than the cost of a field trip, each program is $195 for a maximum of 30 students. A consecutive program is $155, and additional programs are just $125. Multi-day programs are also available, with special package pricing.
Each program includes a resource packet with information about Mount Washington, the Observatory and your program, as well as a fun classroom activity to introduce the topic and terminology to your students.
for real-time interactions
You will need a Polycom, Tandberg, LifeSize, or similar video conferencing equipment that supports H.323 video compression standards. You will also need Internet, Internet2, or ISDN (dial in only) with a minimum 384k connection speed.
Register now!
To register, fill out an online reservation form or contact Michelle Cruz, Director of Education, at (800) 706-0432 x225 or mcruz@mountwashington.org.
We respectfully request that programs be booked at least two weeks in advance. This will give you and your students the chance to engage in the activity included in the program packet, and allow us to schedule a test connection.
Support for Mount Washington Observatory Distance Learning is provided in part by:
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With local support from:
Bitter cold, dense fog, record wind and driving snow... Mount Washington is the Home of the World's Worst Weather.
An observer de-icing an antenna on a frigid mid-winter day.
Maintaining the instruments atop the weather station tower is an hourly task for the summit crew.
Higher education: observing the weather from the tallest point in the northeastern United States.
An observer interpreting the instruments of the "weather wall" inside the summit station.
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