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

(a) The Secretary^* must award a grant to a Southeastern United States consortium^* of major research universities that currently advances science and education through National Laboratory partnerships. The grant establishes a regional SEEK–16 pilot program to improve scientific, technological, engineering, and mathematical literacy, creativity, and decision-making. The consortium must include leading research universities, one or more universities that train many elementary and secondary teachers, and, when appropriate, National Laboratories. (b) The program must expand formal partnerships among research universities, teacher-training universities, and private businesses; combine Department expertise with one or more NASA Educator Resource Centers; let current and future teachers join National Laboratory and research-university^* projects and adapt lessons to classrooms; design and implement coursework; design and implement ways to measure and assess progress; and develop models for transferring knowledge to other United States institutions and areas. (c) A grant is an authorized activity under § 7381b.