A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to appropriate funds to support school science competitions.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the North Carolina Science, Mathematics and Technology Education Center, Inc., the sum of three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) for the 2008‑2009 fiscal year to create the North Carolina Science Competitions Program Center.  The purpose of the Center is to prepare students for an economy based on technology and innovation by establishing and supporting science competitions in all counties of the State by (i) providing workshops to teachers to coordinate science competitions with standard science courses, (ii) recruiting mentors, supporters, and judges for the competitions from business and community leaders so that students receive additional experience working with adults, and (iii) collaborating with science competitions in other countries.
SECTION 2.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the North Carolina Science Olympiad, a nonprofit organization, the sum of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) for the 2008‑2009 fiscal year to expand the Science Olympiad to all 100 counties, sponsor at least 15 regional tournaments, increase the number of schools participating, and provide a State director to coordinate the program. The Science Olympiad improves the quality of science and technology education by providing a rigorous academic interscholastic competition that consists of a series of team events for which students prepare throughout the year.
SECTION 3.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2008.