[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 5391 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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118th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 5391
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 SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
November 21, 2024
Ms. Ernst (for herself and Ms. Klobuchar) introduced the following
bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation
_______________________________________________________________________
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 Council Committee on Science,
Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education (CoSTEM), 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 Council Committee on Science,
Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education (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 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and
on an annual basis thereafter, the National Science and Technology
Council 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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