I 
113TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 5217 
To support afterschool and out-of-school-time science, technology, engineering, 
and mathematics programs, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 28, 2014 
Mr. CASTRO of Texas introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 
A BILL 
To support afterschool and out-of-school-time science, tech-
nology, engineering, and mathematics programs, and for 
other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Supporting Afterschool 
STEM Act’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) Numerous authoritative studies document 
that the proficiency of students in the United States 
in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
01:31 Jul 31, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5217.IH
H5217
tjames on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(‘‘STEM’’) will have a major impact on the Nation’s 
future economic competitiveness and on the pre-
eminence of the United States in scientific inquiry 
and technological innovation. 
(2) Results from the National Assessment of 
Educational Progress, the Trends in International 
Mathematics and Science Study, the Programme in 
International Science Assessment, and other sources 
show that students in the United States are not 
demonstrating sufficient achievement in the STEM 
subjects and are not keeping pace with students in 
other countries. 
(3) Research demonstrates the importance of 
afterschool programs in engaging students in STEM 
fields and building STEM-relevant skills and pro-
ficiencies, especially for girls, students from popu-
lations traditionally underrepresented in STEM 
fields, and students from low socioeconomic cir-
cumstances. 
(4) A National Research Council consensus 
study confirmed the importance of learning that oc-
curs in out-of-school-time settings such as after-
school programs and science centers, and proposed 
a set of ‘‘strands of science learning’’ framework 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
01:31 Jul 31, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5217.IH
H5217
tjames on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
that articulated capabilities fostered by informal 
learning environments. 
(5) According to a 2013 study entitled ‘‘Defin-
ing Youth Outcomes for STEM Learning in After-
school’’, the afterschool field is confident in its abil-
ity to help young people develop interest in STEM 
and STEM learning activities, develop capacities to 
productively engage in such activities, and come to 
value them. The afterschool field is also confident 
that it can impact skills such as problem-solving 
abilities, demonstrating STEM skills, career aware-
ness, and 21st century skills, such as team work, 
that are important to the workforce and national 
economic goals. 
(6) The Federal Government should use its re-
sources as effectively as possible to increase opportu-
nities for students to be exposed to STEM subjects 
outside of the school day and to build a balanced 
kindergarten through grade 12 STEM education 
portfolio that fosters learning in school as well as in 
out-of-school-time programs. 
(7) Afterschool programs have long partnered 
with other youth-serving and community organiza-
tions to meet the needs of students. Cross-sector col-
laborations between afterschool programs, schools, 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
01:31 Jul 31, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5217.IH
H5217
tjames on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
science centers, institutions of higher education, 
businesses, and other entities are yielding great ben-
efits for engaging young people in STEM fields. 
(8) As interest and momentum grows around 
STEM programming in afterschool, more and better 
partnerships across Federal agencies become in-
creasingly important to leverage resources and offer 
high-quality, hands-on STEM experiences for youth. 
SEC. 3. PURPOSES. 
The purposes of this Act are— 
(1) to enhance America’s economic competitive-
ness by strengthening STEM education through fos-
tering interest and success in STEM subjects among 
certain student populations in kindergarten through 
grade 12; 
(2) to engage Federal agencies and foster inter-
agency collaboration in STEM education afterschool 
program investments; 
(3) to recognize the important role that after-
school programs offered by nonprofit and commu-
nity-based organizations, science centers, museums, 
libraries, and other such entities, play in STEM edu-
cation and to support their efforts; 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
01:31 Jul 31, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5217.IH
H5217
tjames on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(4) to involve institutions of higher education as 
partners in such efforts and foster increased collabo-
ration; and 
(5) to inspire young people to study and work 
in STEM subjects. 
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) AFTERSCHOOL OR STEM NETWORK.—The 
term ‘‘afterschool or STEM network’’ means a coali-
tion that fosters partnerships and provides support 
to afterschool program providers and STEM edu-
cation providers to develop and sustain quality edu-
cation programming for children and youth in after-
school programs and STEM education programs. 
(2) 
AFTERSCHOOL
PROGRAM.—The 
term 
‘‘afterschool program’’ means a structured program 
offered for elementary school, middle school, or sec-
ondary school students when school is not in session, 
such as before or after school, on the weekend, or 
during the summer. 
(3) DIRECTOR.—The term ‘‘Director’’ means 
the Director of the National Science Foundation. 
(4) ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.—The term ‘‘elemen-
tary school’’ has the meaning given the term in sec-
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
01:31 Jul 31, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5217.IH
H5217
tjames on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
tion 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Edu-
cation Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801). 
(5) MIDDLE
SCHOOL.—The term ‘‘middle 
school’’ means a nonprofit institutional day or resi-
dential school, including a public charter school, that 
provides middle grades education, as determined 
under State law. 
(6) SECONDARY
SCHOOL.—The term ‘‘sec-
ondary school’’ has the meaning given the term in 
section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Edu-
cation Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801). 
(7) 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). 
(8) STEM.—The term ‘‘STEM’’ means science, 
technology, engineering, or mathematics, and in-
cludes the fields of computer science and robotics. 
SEC. 5. AFTERSCHOOL STEM SUPPORT GRANT PROGRAM. 
(a) GOALS OF PROGRAM.—The goals of the after-
school STEM grant program carried out under this Act 
are— 
(1) to support the development and delivery of 
high-quality STEM education to populations under-
represented in STEM fields; 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
01:31 Jul 31, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5217.IH
H5217
tjames on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(2) to leverage the expertise and infrastructure 
available to afterschool programs that include 
STEM content through afterschool or STEM net-
works; 
(3) to leverage existing Federal STEM edu-
cation investments, as of the date of enactment of 
this Act, in order to encourage STEM-focused grant 
recipients to lend their time and expertise to after-
school programs that include STEM content; and 
(4) to provide hands-on learning and exposure 
to STEM research facilities and businesses through 
in-person or virtual distance-learning experiences. 
(b) PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—From amounts appropriated 
to carry out this part and not reserved under para-
graph (4), the Director shall award grants, on a 
competitive basis, to afterschool or STEM net-
works— 
(A) to support afterschool programs that 
include STEM content through the activities 
described in subsection (e); and 
(B) to carry out the goals described in sub-
section (a). 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
01:31 Jul 31, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5217.IH
H5217
tjames on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(2) DURATION.—Each grant awarded under 
this Act shall be for a period of not more than 3 
years. 
(3) AMOUNTS.—The Director shall ensure that 
each grant awarded under this Act is in an amount 
that is sufficient to carry out the goals described in 
subsection (a). 
(4) RESERVATION.—From the amounts appro-
priated for this grant, the Director shall reserve 20 
percent of such funds to develop and support new 
afterschool or STEM networks in States or areas 
where such networks do not exist. 
(c) APPLICATION.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—An afterschool or STEM 
network desiring a grant under subsection (b)(1) 
shall submit an application at such time, in such 
manner, and containing such information that the 
Director may require. 
(2) CONTENTS.—The application described in 
paragraph (1) shall, at a minimum, include— 
(A) a description of the status of after-
school STEM programming in the State or area 
in which the afterschool or STEM network is 
located, including— 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
01:31 Jul 31, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5217.IH
H5217
tjames on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(i) the number of afterschool pro-
grams in the State or area; 
(ii) the number of such afterschool 
programs focused on STEM subjects and 
activities; 
(iii) the number of students served by 
existing afterschool programs, as of the 
date of the application, in the State or 
area; 
(iv) the number of students served by 
existing afterschool programs that include 
STEM content in the State or area; 
(v) the unmet demand for afterschool 
programs in the State or area; and 
(vi) the unmet demand for afterschool 
programs focused on STEM subjects and 
activities in the State or area; 
(B) an analysis of existing and needed re-
sources that identifies areas and populations 
most in need of opportunities for high-quality 
afterschool programs that include STEM con-
tent; 
(C) a description of the current and past 
work carried out by the afterschool or STEM 
network to support the needs of afterschool pro-
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
01:31 Jul 31, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5217.IH
H5217
tjames on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
efforts and define appropriate learning outcomes for 
such efforts. 
(4) Coordinate professional development for 
afterschool program educators by— 
(A) identifying training programs that are 
available, as of the time of the identification, 
for afterschool program educators; 
(B) working with partners to allow joint 
professional development with teachers at ele-
mentary schools, middle schools, and secondary 
schools, as appropriate; and 
(C) partnering with teacher training pro-
grams to utilize afterschool programs for 
practicum experiences, employment placements, 
and other opportunities. 
(5) Help afterschool program providers form 
strategic partnerships as needed to advance STEM 
learning in afterschool programs, including partner-
ships with elementary schools, middle schools, sec-
ondary schools, institutions of higher education (in-
cluding community colleges and programs and 
schools of education), businesses, research facilities, 
national laboratories, and other appropriate entities. 
(6) Create and disseminate tool kits to after-
school programs wanting to form partnerships and 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
01:31 Jul 31, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5217.IH
H5217
tjames on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
incorporate STEM professionals as mentors and role 
models that— 
(A) provide technical assistance and guid-
ance, including assistance in connecting after-
school program providers with STEM research-
ers and professionals who may be able to assist 
in STEM-focused activities; and 
(B) include— 
(i) examples of strong afterschool pro-
grams that have incorporated such part-
nerships to serve as models; 
(ii) a list of potential partners that 
could assist in STEM-focused activities; 
(iii) identified federally supported 
STEM education programs and research in 
the State or area served by the grant; and 
(iv) guidance on how to engage STEM 
professionals, mentors, and role models in 
the program. 
(7) Provide technical assistance to federally 
funded STEM researchers and professionals who 
wish to engage with afterschool programs that, at a 
minimum, includes— 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
01:31 Jul 31, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5217.IH
H5217
tjames on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(A) examples of partnerships between 
afterschool programs and institutions rich in 
STEM resources; 
(B) a resource that provides a description 
of the afterschool program setting, the opportu-
nities for engagement in afterschool programs, 
and the constraints of which the researchers or 
professionals need to be aware; 
(C) how to find an afterschool program 
provider with which the researcher or profes-
sional would like to engage; 
(D) how to ensure an effective and produc-
tive partnership with the afterschool provider 
through mutually beneficial engagement, and 
engage in a productive conversation with the 
afterschool provider to determine if the partner-
ship will be productive; 
(E) how to craft a mutually beneficial en-
gagement and partnership; and 
(F) guidance on how to measure appro-
priate outcomes for afterschool programs and 
afterschool programs that include STEM con-
tent. 
(8) Any other activity, as proposed in the appli-
cation and determined appropriate by the Director. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
01:31 Jul 31, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5217.IH
H5217
tjames on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
(f) REPORT.—Each afterschool or STEM network re-
ceiving a grant under subsection (b)(1) shall submit an 
annual report to the Director regarding the progress of 
the grant. 
SEC. 6. FEDERAL PARTNERSHIP WITH AFTERSCHOOL PRO-
GRAMS. 
Beginning not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Director shall provide informa-
tion, to each recipient of a STEM research grant under 
the authority of the Director, on opportunities to engage 
with students in out-of-school-time programs, such as 
through mentorships. Such information shall include— 
(1) a listing of all afterschool or STEM pro-
gram networks in the region of the recipient; 
(2) a toolkit that provides guidance to federally 
funded STEM researchers on how to engage and 
partner with afterschool STEM program providers 
and lend their time and expertise in afterschool pro-
grams that include STEM content; 
(3) information regarding how to create oppor-
tunities to have students visit laboratories; and 
(4) guidance regarding how to create age-ap-
propriate research projects for students. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
01:31 Jul 31, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5217.IH
H5217
tjames on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with BILLS
SEC. 7. REPORT. 
By not later than 180 days after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the Director shall prepare and submit 
to Congress a report on Federal STEM investments in 
afterschool programs and the best practices for afterschool 
programs incorporating STEM subjects into their pro-
grams. 
Æ 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
01:31 Jul 31, 2014
Jkt 039200
PO 00000
Frm 00016
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H5217.IH
H5217
tjames on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with BILLS