---
kind: "section"
citation: "51 U.S.C. § 40905"
title: "51"
title_heading: "National and Commercial Space Programs"
number: "40905"
heading: "Program to expand distance learning in rural underserved areas"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/51/40905"
units:
  - "Subtitle IV — Aeronautics and Space Research and Education"
  - "Chapter 409 — Miscellaneous"
---

# §40905. Program to expand distance learning in rural underserved areas

- (a) **In General.—** The [Administrator](/usc/51/10101.md?p=2) 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)](#a), the [Administrator](/usc/51/10101.md?p=2) 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 professions.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 111–314, § 3, Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3393.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 40905 | 42 U.S.C. 16791. | Pub. L. 109–155, title VI, § 612, Dec. 30, 2005, 119 Stat. 2932. |