To establish a laboratory science pilot program at the National Science Foundation.

(b) Grant Program.--Section 8(8) of the National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-368) is amended--

(1) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (F) as clauses (i) through (vi), respectively, and indenting appropriately;

(2) by moving the flush language at the end 2 ems to the right;

(3) in the flush language at the end, by striking “paragraph” and inserting “subparagraph”;

(4) by striking “Initiative.--A program of” and inserting “initiative.--

“(A) In general.--A program of”; and

(5) by inserting at the end the following:

“(B) Pilot program.--

“(i) In general.--In accordance with subparagraph (A)(v), the Director shall establish a pilot program designated as ‘Partnerships for Access to Laboratory Science' to award grants to partnerships to pay the Federal share of the costs of improving laboratories and providing instrumentation as part of a comprehensive program to enhance the quality of mathematics, science, engineering, and technology instruction at the secondary school level. Grants under this subparagraph may be used for--

“(I) purchase, rental, or leasing of equipment, instrumentation, and other scientific educational materials;

“(II) Acquire appropriate nanotechnology equipment and software designed for teaching students about nanotechnology in the classroom;

“(III) professional development and training for teachers aligned with activities supported under section 2123 of the ESEA of 1965;

“(IV) development of instructional programs designed to integrate the laboratory experience with classroom instruction and to be consistent with State mathematics and science, and to the extent applicable, technology and engineering, academic achievement standards;

“(V) training in laboratory safety for relevant school personnel;

“(VI) design and implementation of hands-on laboratory experiences to encourage the interest of individuals identified in section 33 or 34 of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b) in mathematics, science, engineering, and technology and help prepare such individuals to pursue postsecondary studies in these fields; and

“(VII) assessment of the activities funded under this subparagraph.

“(ii) Partnership.--Grants awarded under clause (i) shall be to a partnership that--

“(I) includes an institution of higher education or a community college;

“(II) includes a high-need local educational agency;

“(III) includes a business or eligible nonprofit organization; and

“(IV) may include a State educational agency, other public agency, National Laboratory, or community-based organization.

“(iii) Federal share.--The Federal share of the cost of activities carried out using amounts from a grant under clause (i) shall not exceed 30 percent.”.

(c) Report.--The Director of the National Science Foundation shall evaluate the effectiveness of activities carried out under the pilot projects funded by the grant program established pursuant to the amendment made by subsection (b) in improving student performance in mathematics, science, engineering, and technology and recommend whether such activities should continue. A report documenting the results of that evaluation shall be submitted to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act. The report shall identify best practices and materials for the classroom developed and demonstrated by grant awardees.

(d) Sunset.--The provisions of this section shall cease to have force or effect at the beginning of fiscal year 2012.

(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the National Science Foundation to carry out this section and the amendments made by this section such sums for fiscal year 2008 and each of the 3 succeeding fiscal years.