H.R. 2104

119 HR 2104 IH: National STEM Week Act
 U.S. House of Representatives
 2025-03-14
 text/xml
 EN
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 I  119th CONGRESS  1st Session  H. R. 2104  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.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   National STEM Week Act  .
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.
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 .
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.
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.
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.