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Using Weather Science Education to Reunite the University of St. Thomas and Weather Research Center
5/22/2008
 As another hurricane season approaches, the University of St. Thomas in Houston has partnered with the John C. Freeman Weather Museum at Weather Research Center, Inc. to provide teacher training and to promote awareness of Gulf Coast-related meteorological phenomena and hazards.
The museum provides a facility for the community to learn about weather through outreach and education, professional development and research. The museum hosts teacher workshops, weather camps, weather labs and Science on the Go inspire America’s next generation of scientists and engineers. The University will provide curriculum and teacher education courses on its campus.
“This partnership will advance the science of weather and the knowledge of the weather’s impact on the global community through research, prediction and education,” said Jill Freeman Hasling, Weather Research Center, Inc. president and UST alumna.
A lifelong dream of Hasling’s father, the late Dr. John C. Freeman was realized when the Center formed the nation’s first Weather Museum and relocated its headquarters to the Houston Museum District in April 2006.
“Dr. Freeman served as a math and physics professor and as chair of the Meteorology Department at the University. It is in the spirit of cooperation that has existed in the past between the University and the Weather Research Center that we are associated with the museum that bears his name,” said Dr. Maury Harris, University of St. Thomas associate professor and chair of Environmental Studies.
The University now has an invaluable partner in its efforts to enhance the local area's knowledge of the issues surrounding dangerous weather conditions and to prepare science teachers for the state's new requirement of four years of science for high school students,” said Harris. “Earth science (astronomy, geology, meteorology and oceanography) has the potential to be the dominant fourth-year science course taught in Texas. Currently, there aren't enough Earth science teachers prepared to offer a junior or senior year class anywhere in Texas.”
In 1966 then UST President Fr. Patrick Braden, CSB, Dr. Freeman and a UST alumnus and attorney Bernard Hebinck formed the Institute for Storm Research, Inc. at the University of St. Thomas to support the growing Meteorology Department. The mutually rewarding relationship has lasted more than 25 years..
For more information about Weather Research Center go to wrc@wxresearch.org or call 713-529-3076. For information on University of St. Thomas Environmental Studies program e-mail Dr. Harris at wharris@stthom.edu or call 713- 525-3805.
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