Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 124.djvu/3419

 124 STAT. 3393 PUBLIC LAW 111–314—DEC. 18, 2010 integrate the participating eligible States in both existing and new or emerging Administration research programs and center activities. § 40904. Microgravity research The Administrator shall— (1) ensure the capacity to support ground-based research leading to space-based basic and applied scientific research in a variety of disciplines with potential direct national benefits and applications that can be advanced significantly from the uniqueness of microgravity and the space environment; and (2) carry out, to the maximum extent practicable, basic, applied, and commercial International Space Station research in fields such as molecular crystal growth, animal research, basic fluid physics, combustion research, cellular biotechnology, low-temperature physics, and cellular research at a level that will sustain the existing United States scientific expertise and research capability in microgravity research. § 40905. Program to expand distance learning in rural under- served areas (a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall develop or expand programs to extend science and space educational outreach to rural communities and schools through video conferencing, interpretive exhibits, teacher education, classroom presentations, and student field trips. (b) PRIORITIES.—In carrying out subsection (a), the Administrator shall give priority to existing programs, including Challenger Learning Centers— (1) that utilize community-based partnerships in the field; (2) that build and maintain video conference and exhibit capacity; (3) that travel directly to rural communities and serve low- income populations; and (4) with a special emphasis on increasing the number of women and minorities in the science and engineering profes- sions. § 40906. Equal access to the Administration’s education pro- grams (a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall strive to ensure equal access for minority and economically disadvantaged students to the Administration’s education programs. (b) REPORT.—Every 2 years, the Administrator shall submit a report to the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate describing the efforts by the Adminis- trator to ensure equal access for minority and economically dis- advantaged students under this section and the results of such efforts. As part of the report, the Administrator shall provide— (1) data on minority participation in the Administration’s education programs, at a minimum in the categories of— (A) elementary and secondary education; (B) undergraduate education; and (C) graduate education; and (2) the total value of grants the Administration made to Historically Black Colleges and Universities and to Hispanic