Houston – "Bundle up Houston, we’re in for another 6 weeks of winter" according to meteorologist Jill F. Hasling of Weather Research Center. This prediction came on Groundhog Day, Saturday, February 2^nd from an unusual expert: Willie the Spectacled Bear at the Houston Zoo who saw his shadow after emerging from his cozy cave. So far his prediction seems to be true with winter returning to Houston this week.

The Groundhog Day Ceremony was part of a day-long celebration at the Houston Zoo on Saturday. Festivities included an Animal Weather Walk featuring interactive exhibits on how we are affected by the weather. The Weather Walk was created by 16 area schools and Girl and Boy Scout troops as well as The Weather Museum, NASA, and Zoo Friends of Houston.

Families visited 16 different booths from 16 area schools, girl and boy scout troops featuring a different animal. They collected coloring book pages which have a picture of the animal and facts about the animal on the back. This event highlighted Groundhog Day and promote education in the field of science.

The schools are: Allen Elementary, Berry Elementary, Robert E. Lee, St. John’s, Dogan Elementary, Nat Q. Henderson Elementary, Kelso Elementary, Horn Elementary, Poe Elementary, Walnut Bend Elementary, Douglass Elementary, Girl Scout Troop # 11555, Troop 4186, Troop 12540, Troop #1561, Troop# 4211, Troop # 12311 and Boy Scout Troop 1996.

Other participating booths were from The Weather Museum and NASA. Houston Texans’ Cheerleaders were on hand signing autographs for zoo visitors.

Darryl King, Chairman of the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau was the Honorary Chair of this year’s event. Melinda Sanspree Copeland of PII is the Chair of the event for 2002.

What do the Spectacled Bear and The Weather Museum have in common? They booth need a new home.

This event was just one of the educational programs of The Weather Museum at Weather Research Center. The Weather Museum host educational programs such as Weather Camp, Weather Classes, Weather Wizard Corner, Weather Tours and WeatherFest at the Annual American meteorological Society meeting. The goal is to demonstrate that math and science can be fun and that knowledge of the weather can help save your life.

• Students gained an in-depth understanding of how we are all affected by the weather
• Pre and post evaluation to determine that learning has taken place
• Healthy competition to encourage students to put more effort into their studies
• Schools included inner city/underprivileged children
• Competition winners honored with free trip to the zoo to teach others about animals and how they are affected by the weather

• Raise funds to help build a Weather Museum that will host exciting interactive exhibits for kids and adults!
• Encourage a learning interest in meteorology and oceanography
• Encourage teachers to include oceanography/meteorology in their lesson plans
• Bring attention to the fact that each and every thing is affected in some manner by the weather
• Educate the public about dangerous weather conditions and how to respond in these situations

• Zoo needs new habitat for the spectacled bear. This event will involve media coverage which will also benefit the zoo.

Sponsors of the event were: Reliant Energy, ARAMARK, The Terrace, Halliburton, Office Depot, BP, Ace Mart, Access ATM, AM Express, Corporate Expressions, Family Eats, Inc., FastSigns, Houston Texans, IBEW Local 716, Joyce Long & Associates Wellness Center, Jubilant Cargo, Inc., The Hall Group, Inc., The Idea Source, Inc., and Tiger Tees.