§8671. Program established

(a) In general

(1) Grants authorized

The Secretary, in consultation with the Director of the National Science Foundation, is authorized to award grants or contracts to eligible entities to enable such entities to establish and operate regional mathematics and science education consortia for the purpose of-

(A) disseminating exemplary mathematics and science education instructional materials; and

(B) providing technical assistance for the implementation of teaching methods and assessment tools for use by elementary and secondary school students, teachers and administrators.

(2) Number

The Secretary, in accordance with the provisions of this section, shall award at least one grant or contract to an eligible entity in each region.

(3) Special rule

In any fiscal year, if the amount made available pursuant to section 8678 of this title is less than $4,500,000, then the Secretary may waive the provisions of paragraph (2) and award grants or contracts of sufficient size, scope, and quality to carry out this section.

(4) Designation

Each regional consortium assisted under this section shall be known as an "Eisenhower regional consortium".

(b) Grant term and review

Grants or contracts under this part shall be awarded for a period of not more than five years and shall be reviewed before the end of the 30-month period beginning on the date the grant or contract is awarded. Grants or contracts under this part shall be awarded before the end of the 12-month period beginning on the date of the enactment of an Act making appropriations to carry out this part.

(c) Amount

In awarding grants or contracts under this part, the Secretary shall ensure that there is a relatively equal distribution of the funds made available among the regions, except that the Secretary may award additional funds to a regional consortium on the basis of population and geographical conditions of the region being served.

(Pub. L. 89–10, title XIII, §13301, as added Pub. L. 103–382, title I, §101, Oct. 20, 1994, 108 Stat. 3882 .)

Clubs for Boys and Girls Interested in Science; Authorization of Appropriations; Purposes; Personnel and Facilities

Pub. L. 85–875, Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1700 , provided: "That in order to strengthen future scientific accomplishment in our Nation by assisting in the development of a body of boys and girls with a special interest in science, there is hereby authorized to be appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1959, and for each fiscal year thereafter, such sums, not in excess of $50,000, as may be necessary to enable the Commissioner of Education [now Secretary of Education] to encourage, foster, and assist in the establishment in localities throughout the Nation of clubs which are composed of boys and girls who have an especial interest in science.

"Sec. 2. (a) The Commissioner of Education [now Secretary of Education] shall carry out his duties under the first section with a view to the ultimate chartering by the Congress of a Corporation, similar to the Future Farmers of America, which will seek to-

"(1) develop an interest in science on the part of the young people of America,

"(2) provide an opportunity for the exchange of scientific information and ideas among members of the clubs,

"(3) encourage the promotion of science fairs at which members of the clubs may display their scientific works and projects, and

"(4) develop an awareness of the satisfactions to be derived through a career devoted to science.

"(b) The Commissioner of Education [now Secretary of Education] may utilize any of the personnel and facilities of the Office of Education [now Department of Education] in carrying out this Act."

Section Referred to in Other Sections

This section is referred to in sections 8672, 8677 of this title.