Sponsors (3)
The bill creates a recurring, nationally coordinated National STEM Week to expand student exposure to STEM and strengthen school–industry connections, but it does so without dedicated funding and with administrative, equity, and safety risks that could shift local priorities and impose burdens on schools and governments.
Students (K–12, higher ed, and territories) will gain expanded, recurring exposure to STEM through a nationally designated National STEM Week with hands-on activities, outreach, and clearer eligibility rules, improving awareness of STEM careers and potential long-term job prospects.
Students and schools will get stronger school–industry linkages (mentorships, internships, site visits, guest lectures) and standardized definitions that make partnering easier, creating clearer pathways from education into STEM careers.
Schools, afterschool programs, and community organizations gain a predictable national observance week to coordinate outreach, partnerships, and informal STEM learning that can boost participation and program coordination.
Taxpayers, local schools, and nonprofits get no dedicated federal funding for the designated week, so costs and event delivery fall to local budgets and may force trade-offs or divert limited education funds away from non-STEM subjects.
Low-income students and schools risk unequal access because industry-supported activities and partnerships may concentrate in wealthier areas, shifting priorities toward employer interests and widening regional or socioeconomic gaps.
Federal agencies (CoSTEM), state/local education agencies, and schools could face recurring administrative and data-collection burdens to implement, coordinate, and report on STEM Week activities, diverting staff time from instruction and program delivery.
Based on analysis of 6 sections of legislative text.
Designates an annual national STEM week and directs the federal STEM committee to coordinate activities, partnerships, and annual reporting to Congress.
Designates one week each year as a national STEM week and directs the federal interagency committee on STEM education (CoSTEM) to pick the annual week, promote participation by schools, families, and industry, and support partnerships and local activities. It also requires CoSTEM to report to Congress within one year of enactment and annually after that on participation, impacts, and recommendations, and it defines key terms used in the law.
Introduced March 14, 2025 by Mike Carey · Last progress March 14, 2025