as a science requirement, with thousands of students per year in elementary astronomy classes at the larger universities. All the major radio observatories have well-attended visitor programs, with the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico drawing 120,000 visitors annually, of whom 30 percent are children. This interest translates into an appreciation of science and technology, and draws students into technical subjects, helping to provide the personnel resources needed in today’s world.

Finding: In addition to the intellectual benefits that they provide, radio astronomy studies provide many technological benefits to American society.

Finding: Radio astronomy provides a diverse and valuable set of educational opportunities.