The goal of the proposed Kentucky Center for Science Education would be to coach teachers and administrators on how to communicate the principles of scientific thinking and analysis in the classroom, and getting students thinking for themselves.
Todd said science is a subject that needs more emphasis in the commonwealth.
"In the state we have a center for reading, we have a center for math, and we're making progress in those areas. We're not making similar progress with science," the former top UK official said.
Todd and other organizers behind the proposal say they're looking for $2 million annually and a $1 million startup fund.
Taylorsville Republican James Tipton sounded open to the idea in a committee hearing this week.
"I agree with you. We've got to do something about our science education in Kentucky. And we've got a lot of schools in the state where the science proficiency is under 10 percent. We've got a lot of work to do," the representative said.
Meanwhile, Lexington Rep. Reggie Thomas wondered aloud about combining science and other areas of study. He called the Science Center a "must" and a "good start."
"Is there a way that we, from an elementary standpoint, can start integrating science into the curriculum in different ways, into the reading curriculum, or the writing curriculum, or the mathematical curriculum, in first grade? I mean, find ways that that science can be part of everyday learning," he asked.
The center will be among the many proposals entertained when lawmakers come back into session in January.