By: Mike Carmon
The White Mountains are an incredibly unique and inspirational region in northern New Hampshire, with jaw-dropping vistas, foreboding weather, and a diverse population all wrapped up into a package overflowing with opportunity. From the hundred of miles of hiking paths traversing some of the most majestic mountains in the northeastern United States, to the countless ski trails gently lining the sides of many of the same peaks, the opportunity for outside enjoyment in the Whites is clearly conspicuous. Opportunities that may be a bit less evident, however, are the wealth of STEM resources and potential for application available throughout this charmingly distinctive location.
The Presidential Range of the White Mountains underneath distinctive Undulatus Asperatus clouds.
It is with great anticipation and excitement that I’ve joined the team at WMSI as a Mobile STEM Instructor in an effort to bring these STEM tools into the classroom throughout the north country. My background is firmly anchored in the scientific realm, going to school for meteorology--a branch of science that incorporates some of the most innovative branches of technology, engineering, and mathematics. I’ve worked as a meteorologist at the pinnacle of the White Mountains for many years, atop Mount Washington at the weather station owned and operated by the Mount Washington Observatory. These years on a mountain renowned for its tumultuous weather have rewarded me with some of the most dramatic experiences of my personal life and professional career, and I’m excited to bring the knowledge and life lessons I’ve gained from these experiences to WMSI and into all of our classrooms!
Assisting with a Mobile STEM Lab program in Groveton, NH.
I’ve just recently stepped into the realm of education over the last five years or so, personally bringing exciting and innovative content regarding weather, climate, instrumentation, the White Mountains, the environment, and ecology into the classroom. I’m excited to continue the career of an educator with WMSI, and bring the invaluable content and tools of science, technology, and engineering to north country students through our Mobile STEM program!
One of my projects in my first few days at WMSI, utilizing Makey Makey to build a guitar!
My first few weeks at WMSI have been a fun “crash-course”-esque learning experience with a wide array of STEM tools: from laser cutting to 3D printing to EV3 robotics, I’ve found myself utilizing these cutting edge tools in ways I never imagined possible, and the sky appears to be the only limit--a concept I'm very much looking forward to sharing with students.