Feds dig up $2 million to support networking needs of amateur fossil fans

Feds dig up $2 million to support networking needs of amateur fossil fans « Watchdog.org: "TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Fossil lovers now have one more way to link up and talk about dinosaurs thanks to a mammoth-sized federal grant.
Critics call it more buried treasure.
The University of Florida broke ground earlier this year on a taxpayer-supported initiative purporting to connect amateur fossil enthusiasts across the country with each other and professional aficionados through a new online communication network.
The cost: $2 million.
The plan is a mouthful, called Fostering Opportunities for Synergistic STEM in Informal Learners, or FOSSIL, (STEM is an acronym for Science Technology Engineering and Math).
Simply put, it consists of a user-friendly website, social media outreach and event get-togethers.
The website — the networking hub — hosts mainly contact lists, event information and a newsletter."