119-s1070

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1070 Introduced in Senate

    (IS) ]

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119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
 S. 1070

 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

 March 14, 2025

 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 in 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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