By connecting students with scientists, we aim to excite the imagination and expand the potential of gifted students, and to stimulate the students' curiosity about science and technology. Students in this program have demonstrated talent in the arts and humanities and interests that bridge the arts and sciences. They are selected from high schools across the United States, and receive full scholarships to participate in the program. Scientists supported through this program work with a single team of six to eight students, for a period of two to three weeks. Take Hits Congressional leaders are showing little sign of easing up on the budgetary caps set in 1997 to constrain federal spending, and science funding is taking a hit.
Defense spending is up and civilian spending is down.
For science, that approach is translating into major budget cuts. The House bill passed on July 14th, and the Senate is still debating its version. The USGS fares moderately well in both bills, receiving more than FY 1999 but less than requested. Most of the increases go toward uncontrollable costs rather than to Administration initiatives. A rider in the Senate bill would permanently reverse the Department of the Interior Solicitor's interpretation of the 1872 Mining Law that limits the size of mine dumps.