The Superintendent shall designate nonprofit agencies to serve as regional science resource centers. In order to be eligible to be designated as a regional science resource center, a nonprofit agency shall demonstrate all of the following:
(a)
A history of doing all of the following on a regional basis:
(1)
Developing and operating a large variety of high quality science exhibits.
(2)
Providing teacher training.
(3)
Providing educational services for elementary and secondary school pupils.
(b)
That its current efforts would be improved both qualitatively and quantitatively, and that a greater number of teachers and students would be served.
(c)
Historic success in attracting private and public financial support for development and use of its science exhibits and for its teacher training programs.
(d)
That its exhibits would be cross-referenced to appropriate instructional materials and strategies used by public school teachers providing science and mathematics instruction.
(e)
The ability to train a minimum of 200 teachers each year in all grade levels.
(f)
That local school districts have agreed to cooperate in the teacher training program by providing payment for a portion of the costs of release time for teacher training.
(g)
A commitment to comply with all state and local regulations in establishing priorities and implementing this chapter.