The Department of Education shall establish, within available appropriations, a high school mathematics and science challenge pilot program, which uses performance results on the mathematics and science components of the mastery examination, given in accordance with the provisions of section 10-14n, for students in grade ten or eleven to design and implement mathematics and science curricula for students in the eleventh grade in the public high schools, including technical education and career schools. For purposes of the program, the Commissioner of Education may award grants to local and regional boards of education and technical education and career schools for demonstration projects. Local and regional boards of education and technical education and career schools seeking to participate in the pilot program shall apply to the department at such time and in such manner as the commissioner prescribes. The commissioner shall select a diverse group of participants based on the population, geographic location and economic characteristics of the school district or technical education and career school. Local and regional boards of education and technical education and career schools awarded grants under the program shall use grant funds for expenses for developing and implementing an instructional program in the mathematics and science subject areas targeting students who did not meet or exceed the level of proficiency in mathematics or science on such mastery examination, and conduct an evaluation of the program, including an analysis of student testing performance before and after participation in the program.