For ex ample, in Seattle, a SEPA grant has linked Group Health Hospital, the University of Washington Nursing School, and the Pacific Science Center to create a multi faceted professional-development program. Most funds for science and mathematics education at the state and local levels consist of flowthrough funds from federal agencies. Those funds flow through state education agencies for elementary and secondary education and are distributed to local education agencies, to state demonstration and exemplary projects, or to state agencies for higher education for cooperative projects or competitive grants to institutions of higher education. Most local funds for science and mathematics education also come from federal formula-grant programs, primarily the Department of Education's Eisenhower state funds. In the midst of severe budgetary constraints in most local economies, science often has a low priority, as do professional-develop ment activities for science teachers.
Private foundations are an important source of funds for professional-devel opment activities.
Its Undergraduate Biological Science Education Program focuses on improving undergraduate life -science education through institutional grants, many of which provide an oppor tunity for biology and other science teachers to enhance their skills. Through the outreach mechanism of the grants, several institutions have summer institutes specifically for teachers. The initiative encourages cooperation and collaboration between science-resource centers and elementary schools. Local and regional philanthropic organizations are another potential source of funds. Those references are available in many university development offices and in libraries.