Mount Washington Observatory is a private, non-profit scientific and educational institution organized under the laws of the state of New Hampshire.
Educational Outreach Programs
Exciting, informative, engaging science and weather programs... right in your classroom!
Its mission is to advance understanding of the natural Through generous support from Subaru of America, Mount Washington Observatory offers exciting educational programs right in your classroom! The Observatory’s outreach educators take the show on the road in their Subaru Weathermobile, reaching throughout the Northeastern U.S. and beyond. Observatory educators come to your location with experiments, demonstrations and lessons to help both students and teachers understand weather concepts. Mount Washington Observatory’s outreach programs deliver: • Exploration • Experimentation • Encouragement • Experience • Enlightenment systems that create the Earth's weather and climate, by maintaining its mountaintop weather station, conducting scientific research and educational programs and interpreting the heritage of the Mount Washington region.
Mount Washington Observatory Educational Outreach
Michelle Cruz, Outreach Coordinator Post Office Box 2310 2779 White Mountain Highway North Conway, New Hampshire 03860 phone: (603) 356-2137, ext. 225 or (800) 706-0432, ext. 225 fax: (603) 356-0307 mcruz@mountwashington.org
mountwashington.org
Outreach Programs
Classrooms, Libraries, Camps, etc.
OBSERVING OUR WEATHER This is a general look at where weather comes from, and how observations form the basis of all forecasts. Through interactive, hands-on demonstrations and video footage find out how the Observers atop the highest peak in the Northeast work in some of the World's Worst Weather. THE CLASSROOM OBSERVATORY This program focuses on the weather observation: how we break weather into different components and measure and record them. Students will learn how to use the instruments, take their own observations, and then make their own forecasts. THE WONDER OF THUNDER Lightning is an amazing force, and vital to the planet. Learn how lightning happens, and how to be safer if a thunderstorm threatens. A 500,000 volt Van de Graaf Generator will demonstrate right in your classroom why we say "WHEN THUNDER ROARS, GO INDOORS!"
Teacher Training Programs
Mount Washington Observatory offers sessions for teachers, enabling them to bring weather into the classroom themselves. If you want to teach weather, but could use a jump start, we are here to help. Sessions can be held at your school, at the Observatory's Weather Discovery Center in North Conway, NH or even at the top of Mount Washington.
Program Fees
EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH PROGRAM FEES The standard fee for a program is $195 per session, with a maximum of 30 students per session. A second consecutive program is $155 and each additional is $125. Each of these three programs lasts about an hour, but can be adapted to fit your class schedule. Multiple day programs are also possible. We also provide Assembly Programs. Costs may vary depending on the number of attendees. MILEAGE Mileage is .445 cents per mile (round trip) from North Conway Village, NH. SPONSORSHIP We can work with you if you wish to sponsor a program for a school, library, or other facility or organization, so that you can play a part in bringing Mount Washington and its weather to a formal or informal classroom!
Mount Washington Observatory’s Weather Discovery Center
Located on Route 16 in scenic North Conway Village, New Hampshire, the Weather Discovery Center is a interactive, hands-on science museum devoted entirely to weather. While you are there, take a seat in the theater where you can participate in our "Live from the Rockpile" program, a two-way video link to the observers atop Mount Washington. Then, step back in time as you walk in to our Wind Room and imagine the day the World Record Wind was recorded. Open daily during tourist season, weekends and vacation weeks, 10 AM - 5 PM. Call (800) 706-0432 for museum hours or to book a field trip. Let's go CAMP-IN That's right! Camp-in at the Weather Discovery Center, where the museum, exhibits and gift shop are open exclusively for you! For more information go to our website and click “eductaion”, and then “outreach programs”.
Signing up is Easy!
To bring the legendary Mount Washington Observatory right to your classroom, all it takes is a phone call or a few clicks of the mouse! BY PHONE: Contact Michelle Cruz at (800) 706-0432, ext. 225 ONLINE: Learn more and submit a reservation request at mountwashington.org! To go directly to the outreach section, click on “Education” and then “Outreach Programs”.
Unique Entertainment
Hotels, Resorts, Community Groups
MOUNT WASHINGTON SLIDE SHOWS The Mount Washington Observatory was founded in 1932, but weather observations have been conducted since the 1800's. Through presentations that include images of Mount Washington from then to now provide the general public with a background of how life and work on the summit has evolved over the past 100 plus years.