BOZEMAN, Mont. -- The sun is shining and heating up Montana State University campus, but inside, temperatures are below freezing.

Scientists and students travel from all over the country and the world to study in these cold environments. They aren't the only ones to recognize this lab is special. Popular Science magazine featured MSU's Subzero Science and Engineering Research Facility to be one of the most "mind-blowing" college labs in the country.

With eight cold labs on hand, researchers can study how the cold effects different projects. During certain months of the year when snow isn't easily available, the lab has a special chamber that allows scientists to make their own. Once they make snow they are able change the structures to fit a range of research needs.

One lab has a special controlled skylight to simulate radiation from the sun to the snow. Another lab has a strong floor for mounting equipment that might be used in experiments for the Department of Transportation. Another lab is germ-free to conduct sensitive biological work.

It's all to study how the cold influences anything like agriculture, transportation, ecology and climate.

"If we know how strong those are we can create better forecasts farther out or more accurate forecasts for a wider area," said MSU student David Walters.