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Educational Programs
Sharing the science and wonder of Mount Washington, The Home of the World's Worst Weather.
Homeschool Programs
Sharing the science and wonder of Mount Washington, The Home of the World’s Worst Weather.
Storm Scholars: Homeschool Educational Series (Ages 6-10 and 11-14)
Join the educators at the Mount Washington Observatory Valley Headquarters (North Conway, NH) for monthly learning opportunities for homeschool students! Storm Scholars will offer immersive and collaborative classroom-like experiences, covering a wide range of topics. Storm Scholars will equip both students and their home educators with the resources to deepen understanding in weather and climate sciences, geology, and biology.
Ages 6-10: Second Friday of the month
Ages 11-14: Last Friday of the month
October-December 2026: 9:30-11:00 am* (Fall Semester)
January-May 2026: 9:30-11:00 am* (Spring Semester)
*May and December dates are off-site field trips that may not be on a Friday and may have a different start time and location.
Storm Scholars is open to homeschool students ages 6-10 and 11-14.
Downstairs conference room, Mount Washington Observatory Valley Headquarters (2779 White Mountain Highway, North Conway, NH 03860)
Fall Semester (3 sessions, October-December 2026): $156 per student
Spring Semester (4 sessions, February-May 2027): $208 per student
Per Session: $65/student
Guardian Attendance Policy: One parent/guardian is required to attend each session with their student(s). If multiple students from the same family attend, one parent/guardian for that party is sufficient. Up to one parent/guardian per student is permitted. We encourage parents/guardians to participate in lessons/activities as a method of professional development.
October 2026: Earth’s Circulation & Our Weather (MS-ESS2-5; MS-ESS2-6)
Learn how Earth’s atmospheric and oceanic circulation drive global weather patterns by developing and utilizing models. Then, expand your
learning by exploring the complex interactions of air masses and their influences on regional weather through hands-on activities.
Featured Topics: Weather, Physics
November 2026: Global Precipitation and Earth’s Climate (2-ESS2-3; 3-ESS2-1; MS-ESS2-4)
Use NASA data to explore Earth’s circulation precipitation patterns through building 3D bar graphs for locations in your region and across the globe.
Featured Topics: Climate, Geography
December 2026: The Science of Snow – Mount Washington Cog Railway Field Trip
Join MWOBS educators as we climb to tree line on Mount Washington via the Mount Washington Cog Railway to Waumbek Station. Give your
student(s) a taste of the harsh climate of Mount Washington in winter as we explore the science of snow!
Featured Topics: Weather, Research
February 2027: Glacial Awareness (2-ESS1-1; 4-ESS2-1; MS-ESS2-2)
Mount Washington’s surface is scarred with glacial features from its time during multiple ice ages, making it a great resource for studying our region’s glacial history and the consequent erosion. Using rock samples, fun demos, and a hands-on activity, learn about the names of glacial features, how they form, and how to identify them.
Featured Topics: Geology, Climate
March 2027: Avalanches and Extreme Weather Events (MS-ESS3-2; HS-ESS3-1)
Understanding weather-related emergency protocol can be a matter of life or death. Learn how weather can impact avalanche conditions and how extreme weather impacts safety around the United States.
Featured Topics: Weather, Survival
April 2027: Maple Sugaring in a Changing Climate (MS-ESS3-5)
Learn the science of (maple) sugar in this sweet session. Investigate data to determine how climate change is impacting New England’s maple syrup industry.
Featured Topics: Climate, Chemistry
May 2027: Exploring our Ecozones-Cog Railway Field Trip (Biology, Climate)
Join MWOBS educators as we climb to the summit of Mount Washington via the Mount Washington Cog Railway. Cross into fascinating ecozones as you ascend the mountain, learning about plant and animal adaptations to survive the Home of the World’s Worst Weather™.
Observatory Cancellation: A minimum of 3 students is required for a program to run. If we do not reach that minimum by one week before the session, the session may be cancelled. All registrants will be notified by email in the event of an observatory cancellation and offered the option of a refund or a re-booking on another available session that same semester*.
Participant Cancellation: Fees will be refunded for cancellations made at least 14 days before the session date, less a $5 administrative fee. Cancellations less than 14 days but more than 7 days before the session date will be credited at 50%. Cancellations made within 7 days of the trip date will result in forfeiture of the
entire session fee.
*Participants registered for the full semester (all 4 sessions) will be issued a partial refund in the event of an Observatory Cancellation.
Have a question or another program topic in mind? Contact us by email at education@mountwashington.org or by phone at 603-356-2137 ext. 204.
