42 U.S.C. § 16323 — Science and engineering education pilot program

(a) Establishment of pilot program: The Secretary must award a grant to a Southeastern United States consortium of major research universities that already advances science and education by partnering with National Laboratories, to set up a regional pilot of its "SEEK-16" program for improving scientific, technological, engineering, and mathematical literacy, creativity, and decision-making. The consortium must include leading research universities, one or more universities that train substantial numbers of elementary and secondary school teachers, and, where appropriate, National Laboratories. (b) Program elements: The regional pilot program must include: (1) expanding formal partnerships among research universities, universities that train many teachers, and the private sector; (2) combining Department expertise with one or more NASA Educator Resource Centers; (3) developing programs letting current and future teachers take part in ongoing research at National Laboratories and research universities and bring what they learn to the classroom; (4) designing and implementing course work; (5) designing and implementing a strategy for measuring and assessing the program's progress; and (6) developing models for transferring what the pilot program learns to other institutions and areas of the United States. (c) Categorization: A grant under this section is considered an authorized activity under section 7381b of this title.