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.