Arctic Wednesdays 2024: Week 3 Pre-Trip Blog

 Arctic Wednesday Blog: MWOBS - trip date : 2/7/2024 -  

By: Stephanie Bednaz

What do middle schoolers and Mount Washington have in common?  

Extremes!

Middle schoolers experience rapid cognitive, physical and emotional growth.  They have unique educational needs and experience significant behavioral changes; some might consider it one of the most challenging age groups.

Mount Washington in New Hampshire, is the highest peak in the northeast and is famous for having the world's worst weather.  It’s a physically and mentally-demanding climb to its summit of 6,288 feet, and can challenge even the most experienced outdoors person due to its severe weather conditions. 

As an educator at Rundlett Middle School in Concord, NH, and an avid hiker,
I can say from experience that middle schoolers and Mount Washington are both undeniably AMAZING!  Success with each requires a sense of fun and adventure, appreciation for their unique characteristics, determination, connection and reverence.  

Having hiked all of New Hampshire’s 48: 4,000 footers, I’ve learned the hard way that the weather at the bottom of a mountain is certainly not what you will find at the top, above treeline. I have relied on the Mount Washington Observatories Higher Summit Forecast to help me plan my hikes - and stay safe.   This past year, when our Seek the Peak team reached the summit of Mount Washington,  we were welcomed out of the frigid and wet conditions by the infamous MWOBS observatory staff to take a tour.  That special day I first learned about the Arctic Wednesday Professional Development program that introduces students and teachers to the arctic weather of Mount Washington. I made it a priority to apply.

I am extremely fortunate to have been chosen for the February 7, 2024 ride on the snowcat to the top of the Mount Washington Observatory to take part in a weather observation and report my findings live via video conference to my students back in the classroom.

As an art educator, a self-declared naturalist, and avid hiker of the White Mountains, the Arctic Wednesday opportunity provides me with a chance to introduce my students to one of the precious natural jewels of New Hampshire.  

Concord New Hampshire has an amazing diverse and thriving community, but how many of our students venture into the White Mountains?  How much do they know about Mount Washington and the science conducted in this unique weather observatory that was founded in 1932?  How could I enrich their understanding of winter ecology and extreme weather they currently study, as part of their middle school science curriculum? How could I ignite their curiosity about the carefully-conserved mountains and land around them, and instill an appreciation for these special places that make NH unique and attract tourists from around the world?   

In the 19th century, creating a painting of Mount Washington was a right of passage for an aspiring artist.  Rundlett Middle School student artists are creating a Triptych of Mount Washington using pen and ink, and watercolors. Inspired by the work of the Hudson River School, a group of artists active in the 1800’s and famous for their images that promoted the White Mountains of New Hampshire https://www.whitemountainart.com/about-3/subjects/mount-washington-gallery/ , students will create their own image of Mount Washington.   Through their creations, Rundlett’s student-artists will represent the progressive transition through three ecozones found on Mount Washington, which will include an animal that inhabits a specific zone, and express conservation through poetry incorporated in their art. 

Keep an eye out for these “extremely” beautiful student art creations honoring New Hampshire’s natural wonder,  Mount Washington,  on our instagram page  @ART4RMS.