Around the world, people look at education as the key to unlocking solutions for problems. If we can help students (of all ages) understand the rich context of a situation, see the relationships at work, and grasp both the overall patterns and the intricate details, we might husband that which is scarce, repair past damage, and use resources--both human and natural--more strategically. As one bumper sticker puts it, "Whatever the question, education is the answer."

Readers of ArcNews know that GIS opens dramatic opportunities in education as well as Business and government. This issue includes a special focus on education, highlighting stories from New York, Virginia, and South Dakota. In widely varied settings, knowledgeable instructors (from elementary through college) enhance the capacities of young thinkers by giving them powerful tools. In case after case, the results give us all hope for tomorrow.

Such clear demonstrations of the power of GIS in education appear in classrooms, homes, and community groups across the land. Each of these stories began with a single person with a vision. Each grew by connecting with others, sharing the vision, and harnessing the power of GIS. The resources available on Esri's education Web sites can help you bring these stories to your community. As you explore how students and other "everyday citizens" are changing their world, we hope you will pledge to help similar programs locally.

And, of course, GIS Day is perhaps the ultimate expression of GIS in education--millions of people in more than 80 countries "coming up on the GIS curve," all on the same day!

For more information, please see these Web sites: www.esri.com/highered, www.esri.com/k-12, www.esri.com/libraries, www.gisday.com<./P>