Space Education and Strategic Applications Journal • Vol . 2 , No . 2 • Spring / Summer 2021
An Interview with Dr . Lorenza Cooper
Dr . Kandis Y . Boyd Wyatt American Public University System
Dr . Lorenza Cooper is a life-long Atmospheric Scientist and serves as an Assistant Professor at American Public University System . Dr . Cooper serves as a lead instructor and course developer of all meteorology courses offered at the University . In this capacity , he plans and prepares curriculum that remains relevant in a rapidly advancing discipline . His focus is on his students , and he establishes learning outcomes to best position students in a competitive career environment . For students with an interest in learning more about the weather , Dr . Cooper initiates and facilitates discussions to promote critical thinking , as well as providing quality and timely feedback to assist students in successfully achieving course objectives . We are featuring Dr . Cooper in this edition of SESA to highlight the connections between the atmosphere and many aspects of physical science .
Dr . Wyatt : Can you start by talking about how a career in meteorology has impacted your life , both personally and professionally ?
Dr . Cooper : All meteorologists have an obsession with the beauty and power behind weather . Hurricane Hugo inspired me . As a child I remember running to the window whenever there was a storm . Its power and strength amazed me . Ever since , meteorology has been my passion and I pursued courses in atmospheric science in school . I never knew that meteorology was a major . I saw the broadcast meteorologists on tv — many of whom were reading a script . Now I realize that meteorology is interdisciplinary , and there are linkages between meteorology , geology , and space . I became a storm chaser , and I was honored to receive a fellowship with both NASA and
NOAA . Who knew my fascination with weather could blossom into a career ? My kids have also caught the bug , and are intrigued by weather as well .
Dr . Wyatt : How do you separate prevailing thought from science and data when it comes to atmospheric science ?
Dr . Cooper : Atmospheric Science not only means the here and now , but includes a historical perspective of the past . There are weather records dating back to the 1800s . These data collections help researchers draw climatic trends . It ’ s important to focus on the data to develop scientifically sound conclusions . In the courses I teach , I strive to create a relationship between weather and life experiences . Weather affects our lives on a daily basis . In the classroom , the theories and abstractness of weather can become
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