MAKERS Act
Bill: H.R.6137 | Sponsor: Rep. Scott, David (D-GA)
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
Making Advances Kinetic Education, Research, and Skills Act or the MAKERS Act
This bill directs the National Science Foundation to award competitive grants to institutions of higher education or their consortia to support the research and development of makerspaces to assist in the formation of a workforce capable of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). Makerspaces are community spaces that (1) provide access to tools, technology, and knowledge for learners and entrepreneurs; (2) result in prototyping or creation of physical goods, interdisciplinary learning, and educational innovation; and (3) support the development of educational opportunities for personal growth, workforce training, and early stage business ventures.
Grants may be used for (1) research on the effectiveness of makerspaces in engaging students and the community in STEM skills and in teaching and learning, (2) the compilation and dissemination of best practices on the use of makerspaces for STEM learning and workforce preparedness, and (3) equipment to achieve such purposes.
Funds furnished through a grant may not be used for the construction of a building or facility to hold a makerspace unless such construction is necessary for safety reasons or the use of relevant equipment.

To direct the Director of the National Science Foundation to award 
 grants for, and support research on, the development of makerspaces, 
                        and for other purposes.

    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 ``Making Advances Kinetic Education, 
Research, and Skills Act'' or the ``MAKERS Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) Maker communities can be found in both rural and urban 
        communities throughout the Nation.
            (2) Making has been shown to engage and motivate children 
        and adults in STEM disciplines.
            (3) Informal education and makerspaces promote skills that 
        employers desire, such as technical skills, problem-solving 
        skills, teamwork, and analytical skills.
            (4) Studies have shown that underrepresented populations 
        often have better successes in informal and out-of-school STEM 
        than in formal STEM programs.
            (5) Some studies have shown that makerspaces help to build 
        not only technical hard skills but also collaboration and other 
        soft skills that employers desire.

SEC. 3. PURPOSE.

    The purpose of this Act is to encourage the formation and study of 
makerspaces to--
            (1) engage populations within community colleges and 
        community environments in STEM programs;
            (2) develop desirable STEM technical and other skills 
        including collaboration; and
            (3) build a STEM-capable workforce.

SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act, the following definitions apply:
            (1) Historically black college or university.--The term 
        ``historically Black college or university'' has the meaning 
        given the term ``part B institution'' under section 322 of the 
        Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061).
            (2) Makerspace.--The term ``makerspace'' means a community 
        space that--
                    (A) provides access to tools, technology, and 
                knowledge for learners and entrepreneurs;
                    (B) results in the prototyping or creation of 
                physical goods, interdisciplinary learning, and 
                educational innovation; and
                    (C) supports the development of educational 
                opportunities for personal growth, workforce training, 
                and early stage business ventures.
            (3) Minority-serving institution.--The term ``minority-
        serving institution'' means an institution listed in section 
        371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
        1067q(a)).
            (4) Rural community.--The term ``rural community'' has the 
        meaning given the term ``rural area'' in section 520 of the 
        Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1490).
            (5) STEM.--The term ``STEM'' means the subjects of science, 
        technology, engineering, and mathematics.
            (6) Workforce development component.--The term ``workforce 
        development component'' means--
                    (A) an economic development board or corporation, 
                including a State board or local workforce board;
                    (B) an internship program;
                    (C) a certificate program;
                    (D) employers or an employer or industry 
                partnership representing multiple employers;
                    (E) a community-based organization; or
                    (F) any other program considered acceptable by the 
                Director of the National Science Foundation.

SEC. 5. GRANT PROGRAM FOR RESEARCH AND CAPACITY BUILDING OF 
              MAKERSPACES.

    (a) Establishment.--The Director of the National Science Foundation 
shall award grants on a competitive basis to institutions of higher 
education, or consortia of such institutions, to support the research 
and development of makerspaces to assist in the formation of a STEM-
capable workforce.
    (b) Use of Funds.--A grant awarded under this section may be used 
for--
            (1) research on the effectiveness of makerspaces in 
        engaging students and the community in STEM skills and in 
        teaching and learning, and the development, compilation, and 
        dissemination of best practices on the use of makerspaces for 
        STEM learning and workforce preparedness;
            (2) equipment to achieve the purpose under paragraph (1); 
        and
            (3) any other activities the Director considers 
        appropriate.
    (c) Priority.--In selecting grant recipients under this section, 
the Director shall give priority to applicants that--
            (1) apply in partnership with 1 or more entities that are--
                    (A) a workforce development component;
                    (B) a high-need local education agency as described 
                in section 9(b)(3) of the National Science Foundation 
                Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n(b)(3)); or
                    (C) an independent nonprofit or academic 
                makerspace;
            (2) consist of 1 or more entities that are--
                    (A) a community college; or
                    (B) a historically Black college or university or 
                other minority-serving institution of higher education; 
                or
            (3) apply in partnership with or consist of an entity that 
        is--
                    (A) described in paragraph (1) or (2); and
                    (B) operates within a rural community.
    (d) Limitation.--Funds provided through a grant under this section 
may not be used for the construction of a physical building or facility 
to hold a makerspace unless the Director determines that such 
construction is necessary for reasons of safety or the use of relevant 
equipment.
    (e) Technical Assistance.--The Director may provide to entities 
receiving a grant or entities seeking such a grant under this section 
with technical assistance.
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