Prospects for Star Formation Studies with Mid-Infrared Instruments on Large Telescopes

Imaging and spectroscopic observations in the mid-infrared wavelength range (5$\mu$m--30$\mu$m) offer valuable insight into the origins of stars and planets. Sensitive new array detectors on 8-meter class telescopes make it possible to study a wide range of phenomena, from protoplanetary disks to starburst galaxies, in unprecedented detail. I review the capablities of ground-based mid-infrared instruments (e.g., high spatial resolution) and their limitations (e.g., poor sensitivity, small field of view) using several examples in the field of star formation, and discuss prospects for the near future.