361 



For example, a long record of the earth's climatic histoiy can be 

 obtained by investigating the isotopic composition of fossil planktonic 

 organisms contained in the sediments. Radioactive dating techniques 

 applied to materials from the cores will serve to date the times in which 

 the sediments were laid down. Tlie most significant hypothesis to be 

 tested is that of sea floor spreading and continental drift. In addition, 

 a comparison will be possible between the actual core samples and the 

 interpretation made by indirect geophysical means. These are but a 

 few examples of significant research studies which will be conducted 

 using sediment cores obtained under this program. 



Core drilling in the deep ocean basins and other critical areas of the 

 Atlantic and Pacific oceans will be carried out under a contract with 

 the Scripps Institution of Oceanography of the University of Cali- 

 fornia. A subcontract has been awarded for the operation of a drilling 

 ship capable of drilling and retrieving core samples to depths of 2,500 

 feet under water up to 20,000 feet deep. It is expected that drilling will 

 begin about July 1968. This subcontract has been funded for 18 months 

 with an option to extend it should the scientific results so warrant. 



This program is conducted as a national research program^ under 

 which interested and qualified scientists and students from all institu- 

 tions throughout the Nation are invited to participate and to have 

 access to the information and material which is obtained. Funds to 

 support the study and analysis of the information and cores will be 

 made available to interested scientists through the Foundation's pro- 

 gram of basic research project support. 



In the area of education, the Foundation funded 41 graduate fel- 

 lowships and traineeships in marine sciences in fiscal year 1966. In 

 addition, two advanced science seminars in marine science for pre- 

 doctorals and postdoctorals were supported; a college teacher pro- 

 gram in which 63 college teachers participated during fiscal year 1966 

 was conducted ; and a lecture series was developed by the University of 

 Maryland for the general public which was attended by 700 persons. 



The undergraduate research participation program provided 27 

 undergraduate students opportunities for independent study and re- 

 search in the marine sciences. One example of this type of activity 

 is the project which has been conducted by the Virginia Institute of 

 Marine Science. Of the 46 earlier participants in this project, 40 are 

 currently enrolled in graduate programs; 19 have earned a master's 

 degree and one a Ph. D. 



Through the undergraduate instructional scientific equipment pro- 

 gram, improvement of courses and curriculums at colleges and univer- 

 sities in the marine sciences was made possible. Examples of the type 

 of projects supported in this program are the Moss Landing Marine 

 Laboratories jointly sponsored by five California State colleges in 

 which an award helped to equip the laboratories in marine biology, 

 chemical oceanography, and various field programs; and a grant to 

 the Southampton College of Long Island University for a small boat 

 and navigation equipment, marine biological sampling equipment, 

 and conventional biological laboratory equipment. 



In fiscal year 1966, which is the last year for which we have a com- 

 plete summary available, the Division of PrecoUege education in 



3-705— 68— pt. 1 24 



