A Teachers Experience

2011-02-08 22:14:20.000 – Pamela M. Thompson,  Madison Elementary School Grade 4 Teacher

On the deck.

Tomorrow I leave this amazing place after spending three nights here. Before coming to the observatory, I said I wanted some super wild weather and some clearing skies. I got my wish. Tonight it is approaching wind chills of -50 degrees F with wind speeds of 81mph. It was exhilarating to be outside in that wild weather. Certainly not the place to be if you have any exposed skin. I have a new appreciation and respect for wind.

Yesterday we were treated to a few minutes of clearing and we were able to see the ski slopes down below as well as buildings at the observatory and radio antennas on the summit that I didn’t know were here. The surrounding Presidential Mountains were beautiful. Quite a view and one I will not forget. This has been an experience of a life time. I am here with Sarah Long from Channel 13 News, WGME, out of Portland Maine as part of the Mile High Classroom segments. Yesterday I video conferenced with my class in Madison, Maine, through the observatory’s distance learning program. The students were thrilled to see me up on the mountain and to learn about the weather and the instruments used to measure it. Brian, one of the observatory’s meteorologists, led the program. Super job! Everyone here has been most welcoming. Many thanks to everyone on the observatory staff and the volunteers who prepared such delicious meals.

Pamela M. Thompson,  Madison Elementary School Grade 4 Teacher