coordination among geologic, hydrologic, astronomic, atmospheric, and oceanographic organizations in order to promote earth science education, to provide a united voice on national and regional education issues, and to establish the role of earth science in reforming interdisciplinary, hands-on science teaching. As part of its continuing educational outreach program efforts, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) hosted representatives from 57 organizations at the second annual CESE national meeting, March 4-6, 1994, in Reston, Va. The theme of the meeting was "Supporting Systemic Reform in Science Education." Attendees were brought up to date on Project 2061 of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Scope Sequence and Coordination project of the National Science Teachers Association, the State Systemic Initiatives of the National Science Foundation, and the new National Science Standards from the National Academy of Sciences and the National Research Council. Meeting participants heard talks on Federal Government initiatives like the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Project Weather Scope and two projects of the USGS's innovative CDROM program-one on the hazards of volcanic ash clouds to aviation entitled "Tracking Stone Winds" and the other a multimedia educational system on global environmental change for middle-school students entitled GeoMedia 2. Presentations on exemplary initi atives from the academic community included the Joint Education Initiative of the University of Maryland, the Denver Earth Science Project of the Colorado School of Mines, the Iowa Demonstration Classroom Project of Luther College, and the Program for Leadership in Earth Systems Education of Ohio State University. Presentations on teacher enhancement and material development programs from earth science societies were given by such prestigious organizations as the Geological Society of America, the American Astronomical Society, the American Meteorological Society, the American Geophysical Union, and the American Geological Institute. The highlight of the meeting was a panel discussion on "The View from the Classroom." A panel consisting of teachers from elementary school through undergraduate school and a museum educator discussed current and future needs of earth science teachers and educators. Panelists confirmed the need for local and regional support for the classroom teacher. Teacher-scientist partnerships-two professionals merging their skills for the betterment of science-were hailed as the most effective way to enact true reforms in teaching science. The discussion also emphasized the need for teacher enhancement programs that bring teachers up to date on current relevant science and thus paved the way for additional discussions on the role of CESE and its member organizations in forging programs for the future. For more information about the Coalition for Earth Science Education, contact Laure Wallace at: Telephone (703) 648-6515 FY 94 enacted $136,725 61,279 Budget Information he U.S. Geological Survey receives funding through direct appropriations and reimbursable work. The following table a of to Facilities, 3; General Administration, 3; Geologic and Mineral Resource Surveys and Mapping, 29; National Mapping, Activity/subactivity/program element National Mapping, Geography, and Surveys Total includes $4.5 M supplemental for the Northridge earthquake and $7.8 M supplemental for flooding in the Midwest. The following table reflects actual obligations from all sources of funds. In FY 94, the U.S. Geological Survey had actual obligations of $886.1 million, distributed as follows: $586.5 million from direct appropriations, $5.5 million from estimated receipts from map sales, and $294.1 million from reimbursements. 1Includes actual obligations of $584,484 for current year, $1,887 for no-year and multi-year funds, $119 for contributed funds, and $15 for Operation and Maintenance of Quarters. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) was reimbursed for work performed for other Federal, State, and local agencies whose need for earth science expertise complements USGS program objectives. Cooperative agreements with more than 1,000 Federal, State, and local agencies and the academic community support a large share of USGS research and investigations. Work for State, county, and municipal agencies is most often conducted on a cost-sharing basis. The following table provides detailed information on the particular agencies for which the USGS performs work. [Dollars in thousands] |