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School-Day Programs (K-12)

In-classroom programming delivered by our science educators. Aligned with NGSS Weather and Climate, and Engineering Design standards in support of your STEM curriculum. Choose from these topics that are offered as modular programs suited to fit the needs of your classroom: 

THE WEATHER AROUND US (K-1ST) (K-ESS2-1.)

Learn about the weather around us by exploring how MWOBS Weather Observers collect weather data. Then, learn how to take your own weather observations at your school to investigate weather trends!

NIMBUS THE FORECASTING CAT: HOW DO WE PREDICT THE WEATHER? (K-1ST) (K-ESS3-2.)

Follow Nimbus the Forecasting Cat as he walks through his important job of forecasting for MWOBS. Nimbus will show you how he and his team of MWOBS Weather Observers predict extreme weather conditions on Mount Washington and how they prepare for those events.

WEATHER TOOLS & INSTRUMENTATION (2ND-5TH) (3-ESS3-1.)

Explore the exciting tools & instrumentation that MWOBS Weather Observers use to collect weather data. Learn about how Mount Washington’s extreme conditions affect these tools & instrumentation, then participate in an Extreme Mount Washington Design Challenge. Will your instrument stand the test of Mount Washington?

WONDERFUL WORLD OF WINTER WEATHER (3RD-5TH) (3-ESS2-1)

Mount Washington is known for its winter conditions; extreme cold, high amounts of snow, heavy icing, and hurricane force winds. Explore MWOBS data, investigate notable storms, and decide if Mount Washington is truly the “Home of the World’s Worst Weather”.

EXTREME MOUNT WASHINGTON (3RD-5TH)(3-ESS2-1; 5-ESS2-1)

The weather conditions on Mount Washington can be drastically different than what you experience at your school. Learn how mountains influence weather by exploring the interactions between Earth’s geosphere and atmosphere.

EARTH’S CIRCULATION & OUR WEATHER (6-8TH) (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.

WEATHER EXTREMES: PREDICTING & PREPARING (6-8TH)(MS-ESS3-2)

Extreme weather can be very exciting but can create hazards for communities. Explore the different types of extreme weather events and how meteorologists forecast extreme weather. Then, investigate how to best prepare for natural hazards and mitigate potential damage by participating in an Extreme Weather Safety Design Challenge.

EARTH’S CLIMATE SYSTEM (3RD-5TH; 9-12TH)(5-ESS2-1; HS-ESS2-2; HS-ESS2-4; HS-ESS3-6)

For elementary & middle school students, explore Earth’s “spheres” and investigate the complex interactions between these systems utilizing hands-on models.

For high school students, develop models to discover how energy transfer between Earth’s systems affects climate over varying timescales. Then, you’ll utilize data to investigate how a change to one of Earth’s systems can create climate feedbacks. You’ll also determine how these relationships between Earth’s systems can be modified by human activity.

EXTREME CLIMATES (2ND-5TH) (3-ESS2-2.)

From ice-covered continents to volcanic deserts, uncover Earth’s extreme climates and what creates them through engaging activities and participate in an Extreme Climates Showcase project.

SEASONS & UNEVEN HEATING (6-8TH)(MS-ESS2-6)

Learn how the rotation and unequal heating of the Earth drives atmospheric and oceanic circulation. Then, develop a model that describes how these patterns influence regional climates.

MOUNT WASHINGTON’S CLIMATE ZONES (6-8TH) (MS-ESS2-6)

Investigate what determines a microclimate then explore Mount Washington’s three distinct climate zones, including the Alpine Tundra. Then, using MWOBS data, discover why Mount Washington’s alpine tundra is unique compared to other alpine tundra.

CLIMATE CHANGE: GLOBAL-TO-LOCAL IMPACTS (6-8; 9-12) (MS-ESS3-5.; HS-ESS2-4.)

For middle school students, investigate data and utilize hands-on activities to uncover what processes have contributed to the rise in global temperatures over the past century. Learn about how human activities and natural processes influence climate overtime through hands-on experiments.

For high school students, explore the geologic record to learn how the complex interactions between Earth’s systems, changes in solar energy and human activities can cause changes to global and regional climate. Investigate Earth’s orbit, tectonics, ocean and atmospheric circulation, glaciers, vegetation and human activities through engaging laboratory experiments.

CLIMATE MODELING: WHAT CAN WE PREDICT ABOUT FUTURE CLIMATE? (9-12) (HS-ESS3-5.)

Extreme weather can be very exciting but can create hazards for communities. Explore the different types of extreme weather events and how meteorologists forecast extreme weather. Then, investigate how to best prepare for natural hazards and mitigate potential damage by participating in an Extreme Weather Safety Design Challenge.

Afterschool Programs (K-6)

Our Mount Washington Observatory education team is ready to provide learning opportunities after the bell rings with our new afterschool program offerings. Our play-based, interactive programs are designed to keep students actively learning about weather, climate, climate change and data literacy utilizing NGSS. Offered as an enrichment program once a week (45-60-minute programs). 

In this 6-week-long afterschool series, students will explore what it means to be a weather observer and learn the skills to be one themselves. Through play-based, interactive programs they’ll learn to record weather data, build a weather instrument, and even talk with a MWOBS scientist! This series culminates with students receiving a unique MWOBS Junior Weather Observer certificate and badge. Program length and frequency can be adapted.

Have a program topic in mind? We’re here to develop a program that suits the needs of your students in topics in weather, climate and general Earth Sciences. Request a program to start the conversation!

Program Fees

School Day Program Fee: $200, plus round-trip mileage based on current IRS rate.

After School Program Fee: $100 plus round-trip mileage based on the current IRS rate.

School Memberships

Base Camp (6 Hours of Programming)

$900Per School Year
  • Discounted program rates, no mileage fees*
  • Choice of program (school visit, virtual, field trip)**

Boreal Forest (10 Hours of Programming)

$1350Per School Year
  • Discounted program rates, no mileage fees*
  • Choice of program (school visit, virtual, field trip)**

Tree Line (15 Hours of Programming)

$1875Per School Year
  • Discounted program rates, no mileage fees*
  • Choice of program (school visit, virtual, field trip)**
  • Weather station for your school with supporting curriculum

Summit (30 Hours of Programming)

$3450Per School Year
  • Discounted program rates, no mileage fees*
  • Choice of program (school visit, virtual, field trip)**
  • Weather station for your school with supporting curriculum

*For schools located in Grafton, Carroll, Coos County, NH and Oxford County, ME.
**Does not include Cog Railway or Auto Road ticket fees.

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. 225.