Arctic Wednesdays Week 5: Post-Trip Blog

 Karen McCarthy

K-5 Science Curriculum Coordinator

Lexington Public Schools, Lexington, MA

As I head back to the comfort of my home, calm weather and rather predictable and routine schedule, I have a real appreciation for the weather observers, researchers, snowcat drivers, volunteers, and maintenance crew that keep the Mt. Washington Observatory,  operating 24/7, 365 days a year. The historical data they have collected over the past 90+ years depends on amazing people like this who are passionate about meteorology and willing to live and work at 6,288 feet above sea level, at home in the “world’s worst weather”.  At times, observing the life of the alpine crew was almost as interesting as observing the weather and I mean this in the most respectful way.

  

From the drivers who brought us up the mountain, navigating the snowcat through high drifts while hugging the steep terrain with intermittent white-out conditions, to staff tackling the drifts to dig out weather stations buried in the snow, to committed volunteers at the summit cooking and cleaning in support of staff operations, everyone does their part under extreme weather conditions.  Of course, there is also Nimbus the cat who provides some warmth and comfort to life above the clouds.   

As Alex, our amazing guide pointed out as we climbed the frost-coated interior of the tower and prepared to go outside for a quick observation, life in the observatory felt like it might be similar to life on the Space Station.   One would not survive long outside without the proper support.  

It was a real thrill to step out onto the deck and cling to the rail atop the observation tower with a temperature of 15ºF and wind chill of -2ºF, minimal visibility of .06 miles, and 43 mph winds gusting to 56.  Observers are committed to hourly observations, day and night and I tried to imagine how challenging it must be for the team to maintain their hourly checks in even the most extreme conditions.   As we descended below the clouds, one of the team pointed out how nice it was to see a slight bit of sunshine.  It is not unusual to go for the full week without any!

   

The highlight of our experience was the opportunity to connect back to the grade 3 students in Lexington, Massachusetts.  Alex was masterful at operating the multiple screens, video, PPT and Zoom with participants.  In addition, I was so appreciative of my colleague, Alison Buthlay, who went above and beyond to provide this experience for students and teammates and model the great lengths we sometimes go to increase our understanding of the topics we teach.  She did a fabulous job preparing her students and the grade level classes for our trip to the summit.  The third graders were excited to connect with us and logged on with great questions for Alex. I hope their engagement, observations, and questions made the long days leading up to the trip and her full schedule all worthwhile!

 

When I think of our grade 3 investigations of weather and climate and how this experience might impact our curriculum and instruction, I come back to the unique talents of these weather observers.  As teachers, we continuously stress the importance of engaging our students in the science and engineering practices and at the elementary level, we support the foundational skills of gathering information, sensemaking, and communicating.  In grade 3, we stress the importance of being careful observers and recorders of the natural and designed world around us. I was struck by the contrasting state of the art, high-tech equipment posting data on the computers in real time against the talents and essential role of the human data collectors.  We see evidence of this as they climb out on the tower to clear the equipment of ice or collect the precipitation can while working against crazy Mt. Washington gail-force winds.  Everyday, they use their senses and keen observational skills to gather information that informs the public with accurate weather forecasting.  

I hope our students witnessed the passion, commitment, and problem-solving skills of the Mt. Washington observers as they pursue a better understanding of weather as well as the future impacts of climate change.  It was an amazing experience that we will integrate within our curriculum.  Although we might not be at the summit next year, we will certainly take advantage of the virtual programs the MWOBS is creating for teachers and students!  Many thanks for the opportunity!