Blue Hill Observatory on Great Blue Hill, Milton, Massachusetts — in continuous operation since 1885.
For one week this May, Blue Hill Observatory & Science Center is participating in Boston Climate Week with a series of seven sessions designed for anyone curious about climate science, atmospheric observation, and the future of environmental research.
Sessions run May 3–8 and are free and open to the public — from a guided tour of the Observatory rooftop to a virtual lunch-and-learn on Zoom. Come for one session or come back all week.
Full Schedule
May 3
Sunday
Opening Tour
1:00 PM · In Person · Led by Don McCasland
Kick off Climate Week with a free guided tour of Blue Hill Observatory, beginning at 1:00 PM and lasting approximately one hour. Take in sweeping views of the Boston skyline and see how over 140 years of continuous data are collected and used today. The Observatory is also open for self-guided exploration from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Register →May 4
Monday
Lunch & Learn: Climate, Data, and the Future
11:30 AM · Virtual (Zoom) · Cheryl Cummings & Don McCasland
Join Cheryl Cummings, Director of Strategic Partnerships, and Don McCasland, Kite & Wind Education Program Director, for a focused midday session on how long-term climate observations inform science, education, and decision-making — and how you can support and be part of this work.
Register →May 4
Monday
Exploring Weather in Real Time
1:00 PM · In Person · Led by Amanda Joly
Join Amanda Joly, Deputy Chief Weather Observer, for a behind-the-scenes look at how weather is observed, recorded, and interpreted in real time. This session explores how daily observations are made, how instruments are maintained, and how human expertise plays a critical role alongside modern technology. The Observatory is open for self-guided exploration from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM.
Register →May 5
Tuesday
Learning from the Data
1:00 PM · In Person · Led by Krista Fincke
Join Krista Fincke, Director of Education, for a hands-on session focused on how we teach and learn climate science through real data. Explore how observations become learning opportunities, how students engage with real-world data, and how educators can bring these concepts into the classroom.
Register →May 6
Wednesday
Teaching Climate from Observation to Understanding
1:00 PM · In Person · Led by Krista Fincke
Join Krista Fincke, Director of Education, to explore how climate science is translated into meaningful learning experiences for students and educators. This session focuses on connecting hands-on experiences, data analysis, and inquiry-based learning to help learners make sense of weather and climate.
Register →May 7
Thursday
The Future of Climate Science & the Observatory
1:00 PM · In Person · Led by Alex Evans
Join Executive Director Alex Evans for a forward-looking conversation on where Blue Hill Observatory is headed — expanding access to real-time data, strengthening STEM education, and connecting local observations to global challenges. Explore new opportunities for research, technology, and community engagement in the Observatory’s next chapter.
Register →May 8
Friday
Wind, Weather, and Measurement
1:00 PM · In Person · Led by Don McCasland
Close out the week with Don McCasland, Kite & Wind Education Program Director, for a hands-on exploration of how weather is measured at Blue Hill. Discover how key instruments function, how they are maintained, and how environmental conditions — especially wind and exposure — shape the measurements we rely on every day.
Register →
