Sponsors (2)
The bill coordinates a National STEM Week and related guidance to expand student exposure, teacher support, and industry partnerships—potentially boosting STEM interest and local workforce pipelines—but does so with new costs, administrative burdens, equity and digital‑access risks, and only temporary authorization unless further funded and sustained.
Students (K–12 and college) will get increased, coordinated exposure to STEM careers and hands-on experiences through a National STEM Week and related outreach, helping inform career choices and boost interest in STEM.
Teachers and schools will receive more resources, industry partnerships, and coordinated guidance to support hands-on STEM learning, adopt best practices, and strengthen classroom and after‑school programming.
Families and local communities will have more opportunities and encouragement to engage in at‑home and community STEM activities, validating informal learning and potentially increasing parental support for student STEM learning.
Taxpayers may face increased federal, state, or local spending and administrative costs to implement and report on the program over five years, without specified appropriations.
The bill creates ongoing planning and reporting burdens for federal, state, and local education agencies, CoSTEM, and schools that could divert staff time and resources from other priorities.
A 5‑year sunset and limited permanence risks disrupting continuity of programs and partnerships, reducing long‑term impact for students and schools unless the program is reauthorized.
Based on analysis of 6 sections of legislative text.
Establishes a 5-year authority for an annual National STEM Week, directs CoSTEM to run programs, and requires annual reports on activities, participation, and impacts.
Creates a 5-year authority for an annual National STEM Week led by the National Science and Technology Council’s Committee on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education (CoSTEM). CoSTEM must designate a week each year, run and promote programs that connect schools, families, and industry, and report to Congress on activities, participation, impacts on STEM education gaps, and recommendations. Requires an initial report within one year of enactment and annual reports thereafter describing National STEM Week activities, nationwide participation, impact analysis, and suggestions for improvement; defines key terms and sunsets the designation authority after five years.
Introduced March 14, 2025 by Joni Ernst · Last progress March 3, 2026