Sponsors (3)
The bill creates a recurring National STEM Week and clarifies participation rules to boost student exposure, industry partnerships, and policymaker oversight for STEM outreach, but it relies on voluntary local and industry resources and reporting—creating costs, administrative burdens, and equity risks without providing dedicated federal funding or strong accountability mechanisms.
Students (K–12 and college) gain increased exposure to STEM careers, hands-on activities, and coordinated outreach during an annual National STEM Week, helping inform career choices and boost interest in STEM.
Students and schools benefit from strengthened school–industry partnerships (mentorships, site visits, guest lectures, internships) that create clearer pathways to STEM jobs and practical experience.
Schools, educators, and community organizations gain a predictable, nationally designated week they can use to coordinate outreach, events, and partnerships around a common STEM awareness platform.
Schools, nonprofits, and local education agencies may have to absorb the costs and administrative burden of planning and running National STEM Week events (no federal funding is provided), and data-collection/reporting requirements could divert staff time from instruction and services.
Students in lower-income or rural areas risk unequal access because industry-funded partnerships and volunteer resources are likely to concentrate in wealthier regions, and small businesses may be unable to match contributions expected of larger employers.
Taxpayers and school communities could see STEM prioritization crowd out funding, attention, or instructional time for arts, humanities, or other non-STEM subjects, narrowing curricular breadth for some students.
Based on analysis of 6 sections of legislative text.
Creates an annual national STEM Week, directs CoSTEM to lead outreach and partnerships, and requires annual reporting to Congress on activities and impacts.
Introduced March 14, 2025 by Mike Carey · Last progress March 14, 2025
Designates one week each year as a national STEM week and directs the federal Committee on STEM Education (CoSTEM) to select the week, promote activities, and encourage partnerships among schools, families, industry, and communities. CoSTEM must submit an initial report to Congress within one year and annual reports thereafter summarizing participation, analyzing impacts on STEM education gaps, and recommending improvements. The law defines key terms (schools, institutions of higher education, industry partners, States, and STEM) and authorizes CoSTEM to highlight STEM careers, encourage family engagement, foster school–industry partnerships (mentorships, site visits, guest lectures), and support states and localities in tailoring activities. The text does not appropriate funds or impose new funding requirements; most participation is voluntary.