American Geological Institute American Geological InstituteDepartment of Agriculture
Although the Department of Agriculture
(USDA) seems unlikely to promote geoscience education, it does in fact
provide support for the natural sciences. Through the Cooperative
State Research, Education, and Extension Services, the USDA displays
information on a variety of scientific issues. In depth, the Cooperative
program contains an information database
on environmental and natural resource programs. Moreover, the Forest
Service, a branch within the USDA, offers conservation education
and the Natural Resources Conservation
Service conducts volunteer programs that enhance the protection of
natural resources.
Department of Commerce
From the Department of Commerce,
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) has developed two notable programs for geoscience education.
The GLOBE program provides the opportunity
for students and teachers from 70 countries and over 5,000 schools to work
with scientists to learn more about the global environment. In addition
to GLOBE, NOAA offers sources of funding
for geoscience/natural science research.
Department of Defense
The Department of Defense offers
a variety of educational
links to the many projects it supports. In particular, the department
maintains a section on innovative science
experiments for the classroom and conducts an environmental
research and development program. For more information on defense-related
R&D funding
for the geosciences, see a related report on this website.
Department of Education
The Department of Education provides
links to the Education Resources Information Center (ERIC). Money
from the department supports the Clearinghouse
for Science, Mathematics, and Environmental Education (CSMEE) which
is part of the ERIC system. CSMEE serves as an information tool for
those interested in math and science education. Specifically, this
site offers articles for teachers on a variety of subjects, including but
not limited to, teaching field science, understanding student's learning
styles, and achieving academic standards.
Department of Energy
The Department of Energy provides
federal support for energy-related education. Recently, former Secretary
Federico Pena announced the award of $2.74
million in federal money to various professor-student research teams
at approximately 17 higher education facilities. By performing energy-related
research on coal, the groups intend to add new information to the Vision
21 concept of lowered greenhouse gas emissions. In terms of middle
school education, the department
offers various energy lab projects
for kids. Finally, students and teachers can check out the science
arcade and discover other science and educational resources.
Department of the Interior
Through the Department of the Interior,
students and teachers can participate in a wide variety of programs
that include workshops, classroom activities packages, and field trips.
In particular, the Bureau
of Land Management's homepage provides teacher resources, and the United
States Geological Survey's educational page contains an index of lesson
activities, earth science documents, and a special volcano section.
Environmental Protection Agency
In an attempt to educate the public about the Earth's various resources,
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
has established several effective programs. In its Office of Water-
Wetlands Division,
EPA offers information on a wetlands
education system. Furthermore, the Office
of Water, through the Watershed Academy, offers training
classes for the public to learn more about the watershed environment.
In addition, EPA sponsors Earth
Vision, a computation science education project aimed at introducing
students and teachers to environmental modeling. EPA also provides
support for science education through funding. Specifically, EPA
has given over $1 million in education grants to various institutions in
the Midwest
for the past seven years.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA) maintains a special interest in science education. Since
the decline of students' test scores in math and science, NASA has formulated
programs dealing with the improvement of American knowledge in the sciences.
NASA's whole vision
rests on allowing access to their various missions. NASA research
can be utilized in programs that improve teacher
skills in the sciences and their findings can also be used in providing
teaching
materials to the classroom. For other NASA science educational
programs, visit their website.
Sources: Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, Department of Defense, Department of Education, Department of Energy, Department of the Interior, Environmental Protection Agency, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Contributed by Shannon Clark, AGI Government Affairs Intern.
Posted August 7, 1998
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