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[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 5391 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>

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.
                                 <all>
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