Education
Supporting K-12 to grad students
The station supports environmental science education across every stage of learning. We welcome K–12 groups, offer immersive undergraduate field courses, and support graduate education through field experiences and research.
From montane forests to alpine tundra, students of all ages learn by collecting data, asking questions, and working in the same landscapes where long-term ecological, atmospheric, hydrological, and climate research continues today. The result is an educational experience grounded in discovery, collaboration, and real-world science. Whether you're visiting for a day, a summer course, or several years of graduate research, you'll learn where science is happening.
Field trips
With the help of our partners in research and education, we host class field trips for all ages. Here are a few stories of trips from the University of Colorado Boulder and other colleges/universities:
Undergrad field courses
Live and learn in Colorado's montane and alpine ecosystems through immersive residential field courses. Small classes, close faculty mentoring, and exceptional access to field sites allow students to build scientific skills while earning transferable academic credit. Our courses welcome students from CU Boulder and colleges and universities across the country.
Graduate students
Students observing instrumentation for data collection on Niwot Ridge during the Fired Up! program
Graduate students use the station for advanced field instruction, collaborative research, and professional development. Graduate courses from CU Boulder and other universities regularly use the station, while programs such as FIRED UP help incoming students build field experience, lasting professional relationships, and a strong sense of community before graduate classes even begin.
K-12 groups
Each winter the Niwot Ridge LTER, the Wild Bear Nature Center, and the Winter Wildlands Alliance work together to bring elementary school children from the Boulder-Denver Metro area into the mountains for a day in SnowSchool.
The Mountain Research Station partners with schools, outdoor education organizations, and nature centers to support environmental science learning for K–12 students. We provide facilities, field sites, and logistical support while our education partners bring their own curriculum and instructors, creating memorable outdoor learning experiences in one of Colorado's most remarkable mountain environments.
Research is education
Ph.D Candidate Sara Padula collects data on a nest box from the Boulder Chickadee Study
Field research is one of the most powerful ways to learn science. At the Mountain Research Station, undergraduate and graduate students gain experience by participating in authentic research alongside faculty, postdoctoral researchers, staff, and fellow students. They develop field techniques, analytical skills, and professional experience while contributing to studies that improve our understanding of mountain environments.
Research opportunities exist through faculty-led projects at CU Boulder and other universities. Prospective students are encouraged to explore our Current research projects, the Niwot Ridge LTER (undergrads, grad students), and the websites of our other science partners, then connect directly with researchers whose interests match their own. Students are not only central to the station's research—they are central to its scientific community and culture.
Occasionally the MRS works with partners to provide direct support for student research. See below for info and opportunities.
Learning beyond the classroom
Students and visitors to the Mountain Research Station can explore interpretive trails, attend summer seminars and workshops, meet visiting scientists, and discover the varied landscapes that make the Colorado Front Range a globally important place for environmental research. These experiences encourage curiosity, strengthen field skills, and build lasting connections to science and the natural world.
Welcome researchers, students, and the public! See what's happening at the station, check a weather forecast, and plan a safe, enjoyable trip.
Explore our three self-guided interpretive trails to learn about the unique geology, ecology and wildlife that make the Colorado Front Range such a special place.
Check out the remarkable plants, animals, fungi, and ecosystems of the station's montane and alpine environments.
Want to see more education?
Learn environmental science through field courses, research, and outdoor experiences that inspire K–12, undergraduate, and graduate students.