A number of important discoveries caught the attention of geoscientists and the public in 1997. In their article, "Vertebrate Paleontology," Richard L. Cifelli, a vertebrate paleontologist at the Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, and Daniel L. Brinkman, a Ph.D. candidate at Yale University, discuss the long-running controversy over the origin of birds. Newly discovered fossils of bird-like therapods, a Velociraptor wishbone, and what appeared to be preserved feathers or feather-like soft tissue structures have once again pushed this issue to the forefront of paleontology. At the same time, the auction of the tyrannosaur "Sue" brings up the question of putting a price on science and scientific specimens.

Once again, "Planetary Geology" grabbed the limelight. Steven H. Williams writes, "For planetary geologists, 1997 was a very good year. It began with strong positive momentum from the conclusion of the extraordinarily successful Magellan ... and Clementine mission[s],..." and ushered in a new era of planetary studies with the successful deployment of the Mars Pathfinder and Sojourner, "the little rover that could." Williams reminds us of the impressive results of Galileo as well, and the great views it affords of the jovian moons.

Structural geologists spent 1997 intrigued by new insights into the San Andreas Fault and the possibilities opened up by the use of GPS for continental-motion studies. Metamorphic petrologists experimented with applying three-dimensional X-ray tomography (also used in the CAT scan) to metamorphic rocks, and paleoclimatologists continued to argue the various theories of climate change and global warming events of the past.

Shirley Malcom, director of education and human resources at the American Association for the Advancement of Science, provides commentary on publication of the Benchmarks for Science Literacy and the National Science Education Standards, in an article, "Geoscience Education: Federal Activities." The release of the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), she writes, again shows the mediocre performance of the United States on the international study. She questions the roles and importance of the Standards, and finally gives us the bottom line: Curriculum goals for science education and the teachers of science need to be met.

Also in the February issue, consultant George D. Klein's editorial provides predictions about the future of geoscience research and graduate education. And John Reinemund examines geologic mapping programs at the U.S. Geological Survey and other institutions in his quarterly column, "International Geoscience."

-end-