Aquinas on Science

Sciences are differentiated according to the various means through which knowledge is
obtained. For the astronomer and the physicist both may prove the same conclusionthat the
earth, for instance, is round: the astronomer by means of mathematics (i.e., abstracting from
matter), but the physicist by means of matter itself.
(Summa Theologiae, I, q.1, a.1, res. 2)
Regarding the Ptolemaic model, he wrote

The theory of eccentrics and epicycles is considered as established, because thereby the sensible
appearances of the heavenly movements can be explained; not, however, as if this proof were
sufficient, forasmuch as some other theory might explain them.
(Summa theologica, I, q.32, a.1, ad. 2)
Which is to say, he recognized that scientific theories are underdetermined by the facts and more
than one theory might account for the self-same facts. (E.g., the five or so quantum theories;
Einsteins and Milnes theories of relativity, etc.)
The one time he mentioned the origin of species something which no one in his day had ever
actually seen he wrote:

Species, also, that are new, if any such appear, existed beforehand in various active powers; so
that animals, and perhaps even new species of animals, are produced by putrefaction by the
power which the stars and elements received at the beginning. (Summa theologica,
I,q.73,a.1,res.3)

IOW, he held to the standard medieval doctrine that God had endowed natures with the power to
act directly upon one another; and so he considered that new species would arise by natural
means. Change putrefaction to mutation and all is well.
His teacher, Albertus Magnus (Big Al) wrote:

In studying nature we have not to inquire how God the Creator may, as He freely wills, use His
creatures to work miracles and thereby show forth His power; we have rather to inquire what
Nature with its immanent causes can naturally bring to pass. [De vegetabilibus et plantis]
Im not sure what folks find so disagreeable about all this. Quite clearly, methodological
naturalism was a Christian invention.

Before claiming that Aquinas would fit in with the Discovery Institute, one really ought to find
out what Aquinas actually said.