Bill Summary
The National STEM Week Act aims to establish a designated week each year to promote science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education across the United States, with a particular focus on enhancing access for students in rural, urban, and underserved communities. The legislation recognizes the importance of STEM fields for the country's economic competitiveness and innovation and seeks to address disparities in STEM participation.
Key provisions of the Act include:
1. **Designation of National STEM Week**: The National Science and Technology Foundation Committee on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (CoSTEM) will choose a week each year to be recognized as National STEM Week.
2. **Goals of National STEM Week**: The week will aim to:
- Emphasize the significance of STEM education in schools.
- Highlight various career paths in STEM fields.
- Encourage family involvement in STEM activities at home.
- Foster partnerships between educational institutions and industry leaders to provide mentorship and real-world experiences.
- Assist states and local communities in organizing tailored STEM Week activities.
3. **Activities and Engagement**: During National STEM Week, educational institutions will be encouraged to participate in STEM-related activities, families will be engaged in learning experiences, and industry partners will be invited to support these initiatives through mentorship and resources.
4. **Reporting and Evaluation**: CoSTEM will report annually to Congress on the activities and participation levels during National STEM Week, assessing the impact on STEM education and providing recommendations for improvement.
Overall, the National STEM Week Act aims to inspire and prepare a diverse future workforce by enhancing STEM education and community engagement.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the National STEM Week Act could affect people:
1. **Increased Access to STEM Education**:
The establishment of National STEM Week aims to enhance access to quality STEM education for all students, particularly those in rural, urban, and underserved communities. This could lead to more students from diverse backgrounds gaining exposure to and interest in STEM fields, ultimately helping to close educational and participation gaps in STEM. As a result, these students may have better opportunities for future careers in high-demand fields.
2. **Enhanced Family and Community Engagement**:
The Act encourages family engagement with STEM activities at home and community participation in STEM initiatives. This could foster a more supportive learning environment for students, as families become actively involved in their children's education. Such engagement may lead to increased enthusiasm for STEM subjects among students and greater community interest in promoting STEM initiatives, contributing to a culture that values and prioritizes science and technology education.
3. **Industry Collaboration and Mentorship Opportunities**:
By promoting partnerships between educational institutions and industry leaders, the National STEM Week can create valuable mentorship opportunities for students. Industry professionals can provide real-world insights, site visits, and guest lectures, making STEM subjects more relatable and applicable. This collaboration may inspire students to pursue careers in STEM, as they see the practical applications of their studies and receive guidance from experienced professionals in the field.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2104 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2104
To establish a National STEM Week to promote American innovation and
enhance STEM education pathways for all students, including those in
rural, urban, and underserved communities.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 14, 2025
Mr. Carey (for himself and Mrs. Beatty) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish a National STEM Week to promote American innovation and
enhance STEM education pathways for all students, including those in
rural, urban, and underserved communities.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``National STEM Week Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
(STEM) fields are crucial to the economic competitiveness and
innovative capacity of the United States.
(2) There exists a need to enhance access to quality STEM
education across all demographics and regions to address
disparities in STEM participation and to ensure a diverse and
capable future workforce.
(3) Informal and formal learning environments, including
afterschool programs and at-home activities, play significant
roles in stimulating interest and proficiency in STEM subjects.
(4) Collaborations between educational institutions,
industry partners, and communities can effectively inspire and
prepare students for careers in STEM.
SEC. 3. DESIGNATION OF NATIONAL STEM WEEK.
The National Science and Technology Foundation Committee on
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (CoSTEM) education,
in consultation with other relevant stakeholders, shall designate a
week each calendar year as ``National STEM Week''.
SEC. 4. PURPOSES OF NATIONAL STEM WEEK.
(a) Purposes.--The purposes of National STEM Week are, through the
programs and activities described subsection (b), to--
(1) highlight the importance of STEM education in
educational institutions across the country;
(2) showcase diverse career pathways within STEM fields in
both classroom settings and informal learning environments;
(3) encourage family engagement with STEM activities at
home to foster a conducive learning environment;
(4) facilitate partnerships between educational
institutions and industry leaders to provide students with
real-world applications and mentorship opportunities in STEM
fields; and
(5) support States and local communities in developing and
promoting their own STEM Week activities and resources,
tailored to their unique educational and industrial landscapes.
(b) Programs and Activities.--During National STEM Week, the
National Science and Technology Foundation Committee on Science,
Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (CoSTEM) shall carry out the
following:
(1) Educational activities.--Encourage educational
institutions to participate in National STEM Week.
(2) Community and family engagement.--Encourage families of
students attending the educational institutions participating
in National STEM Week to participate in STEM activities.
(3) Industry involvement.--Encourage STEM industries to--
(A) engage with students enrolled in educational
institutions by providing mentorship programs, site
visits, and guest lectures; and
(B) support STEM education initiatives at such
educational institutions through funding, resources,
and expertise.
SEC. 5. REPORTING AND EVALUATION.
Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act,
and on an annual basis thereafter, the National Science and Technology
Foundation Committee on Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Mathematics (CoSTEM) shall submit to Congress a report detailing the
activities conducted under National STEM Week, including--
(1) a summary of nationwide participation and activities;
(2) an analysis of the impact of these activities on
improving STEM education and closing educational gaps; and
(3) recommendations for improving future STEM Weeks based
on feedback from participants and stakeholders.
SEC. 6. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Educational institution.--The term ``educational
institution'' means any elementary school, secondary school,
and institution of higher education.
(2) Elementary school; secondary school.--The terms
``elementary school'' and ``secondary school'' have the
meanings given the terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
(3) Industry leader.--The term ``industry leader'' means an
individual in a leadership position within an industry partner
who has the authority to make strategic decisions and allocate
resources to support the purposes of National STEM Week.
(4) Industry partner.--The term ``industry partner'' means
a for-profit or nonprofit entity seeking to support the
purposes of National STEM Week.
(5) Institution of higher education.--The term
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the
term in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1002).
(6) STEM.--The term ``STEM'' means science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics.
(7) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the 50 States,
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia,
Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands, and the United States Virgin Islands.
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