(1) The STEM board shall: (a) establish a STEM Action Center to: (i) coordinate STEM activities in the state among the following stakeholders: (A) the State Board of Education; (B) school districts and charter schools; (C) the State Board of Regents; (D) institutions of higher education; (E) parents of home-schooled students; (F) other state agencies; and (G) business and industry representatives; (ii) align public education STEM activities with higher education STEM activities; and (iii) create and coordinate best practices among public education and higher education; (b) with the consent of the Senate, appoint a director to oversee the administration of the STEM Action Center; (c) select a physical location for the STEM Action Center; (d) strategically engage industry and business entities to cooperate with the STEM board: (i) to support high quality professional development and provide other assistance for educators and students; and (ii) to provide private funding and support for the STEM Action Center; (e) give direction to the STEM Action Center and the providers selected through a request for proposals process pursuant to this part; and (f) work to meet the following expectations: (i) that at least 50 educators are implementing best practice learning tools in classrooms; (ii) performance change in student achievement in each classroom participating in a STEM Action Center project; and (iii) that students from at least 50 schools in the state participate in the STEM competitions, fairs, and camps described in Subsection 9-22-106(2)(d).

(a) establish a STEM Action Center to: (i) coordinate STEM activities in the state among the following stakeholders: (A) the State Board of Education; (B) school districts and charter schools; (C) the State Board of Regents; (D) institutions of higher education; (E) parents of home-schooled students; (F) other state agencies; and (G) business and industry representatives; (ii) align public education STEM activities with higher education STEM activities; and (iii) create and coordinate best practices among public education and higher education;

(i) coordinate STEM activities in the state among the following stakeholders: (A) the State Board of Education; (B) school districts and charter schools; (C) the State Board of Regents; (D) institutions of higher education; (E) parents of home-schooled students; (F) other state agencies; and (G) business and industry representatives;

(A) the State Board of Education;

(B) school districts and charter schools;

(C) the State Board of Regents;

(D) institutions of higher education;

(E) parents of home-schooled students;

(F) other state agencies; and

(G) business and industry representatives;

(ii) align public education STEM activities with higher education STEM activities; and

(iii) create and coordinate best practices among public education and higher education;

(b) with the consent of the Senate, appoint a director to oversee the administration of the STEM Action Center;

(c) select a physical location for the STEM Action Center;

(d) strategically engage industry and business entities to cooperate with the STEM board: (i) to support high quality professional development and provide other assistance for educators and students; and (ii) to provide private funding and support for the STEM Action Center;

(i) to support high quality professional development and provide other assistance for educators and students; and

(ii) to provide private funding and support for the STEM Action Center;

(e) give direction to the STEM Action Center and the providers selected through a request for proposals process pursuant to this part; and

(f) work to meet the following expectations: (i) that at least 50 educators are implementing best practice learning tools in classrooms; (ii) performance change in student achievement in each classroom participating in a STEM Action Center project; and (iii) that students from at least 50 schools in the state participate in the STEM competitions, fairs, and camps described in Subsection 9-22-106(2)(d).

(i) that at least 50 educators are implementing best practice learning tools in classrooms;

(ii) performance change in student achievement in each classroom participating in a STEM Action Center project; and

(iii) that students from at least 50 schools in the state participate in the STEM competitions, fairs, and camps described in Subsection 9-22-106(2)(d).

(2) The STEM board may: (a) enter into contracts for the purposes of this part; (b) apply for, receive, and disburse funds, contributions, or grants from any source for the purposes set forth in this part; (c) employ, compensate, and prescribe the duties and powers of individuals necessary to execute the duties and powers of the STEM board; (d) prescribe the duties and powers of the STEM Action Center providers; and (e) in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, make rules to administer this part.

(a) enter into contracts for the purposes of this part;

(b) apply for, receive, and disburse funds, contributions, or grants from any source for the purposes set forth in this part;

(c) employ, compensate, and prescribe the duties and powers of individuals necessary to execute the duties and powers of the STEM board;

(d) prescribe the duties and powers of the STEM Action Center providers; and

(e) in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, make rules to administer this part.

(3) The STEM board may establish a foundation to assist in: (a) the development and implementation of the programs authorized under this part to promote STEM education; and (b) implementation of other STEM education objectives described in this part.

(a) the development and implementation of the programs authorized under this part to promote STEM education; and

(b) implementation of other STEM education objectives described in this part.

(4) A foundation established by the STEM board under Subsection (3): (a) may solicit and receive contributions from a private organization for STEM education objectives described in this part; (b) shall comply with the requirements described in Section 9-22-105; (c) does not have power or authority to incur contractual obligations or liabilities that constitute a claim against public funds; (d) may not exercise executive or administrative authority over the programs or other activities described in this part, except to the extent specifically authorized by the STEM board; (e) shall provide the STEM board with information detailing transactions and balances associated with the foundation; and (f) may not: (i) engage in lobbying activities; (ii) attempt to influence legislation; or (iii) participate in any campaign activity for or against: (A) a political candidate; or (B) an initiative, referendum, proposed constitutional amendment, bond, or any other ballot proposition submitted to the voters.

(a) may solicit and receive contributions from a private organization for STEM education objectives described in this part;

(b) shall comply with the requirements described in Section 9-22-105;

(c) does not have power or authority to incur contractual obligations or liabilities that constitute a claim against public funds;

(d) may not exercise executive or administrative authority over the programs or other activities described in this part, except to the extent specifically authorized by the STEM board;

(e) shall provide the STEM board with information detailing transactions and balances associated with the foundation; and

(f) may not: (i) engage in lobbying activities; (ii) attempt to influence legislation; or (iii) participate in any campaign activity for or against: (A) a political candidate; or (B) an initiative, referendum, proposed constitutional amendment, bond, or any other ballot proposition submitted to the voters.

(i) engage in lobbying activities;

(ii) attempt to influence legislation; or

(iii) participate in any campaign activity for or against: (A) a political candidate; or (B) an initiative, referendum, proposed constitutional amendment, bond, or any other ballot proposition submitted to the voters.

(A) a political candidate; or

(B) an initiative, referendum, proposed constitutional amendment, bond, or any other ballot proposition submitted to the voters.