The State Board of Education is authorized to engage in or otherwise to make provision for educational research into all methods of instruction and education of children and youth; to sponsor conferences, study groups, and workshops; and to conduct research or education demonstrations, experimentation, field tests, and such other projects which will support, improve, or strengthen the public schools of this state, the quality of education provided children and youth in the public schools of this state, and the qualifications and technical skills of professional personnel employed in the public schools of this state; and the state board is authorized to employ or contract for the services of specialists and others as may be necessary or desirable for such purposes and to cooperate with local school systems and public and private educational institutions and agencies inside or outside the state for such purposes.