[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3859 Introduced in House (IH)]
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117th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3859
To encourage and promote further research into informal learning
opportunities to engage youth in STEM fields, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 14, 2021
Mrs. Kim of California (for herself, Ms. Moore of Wisconsin, Mr. Lucas,
and Ms. Johnson of Texas) introduced the following bill; which was
referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To encourage and promote further research into informal learning
opportunities to engage youth in STEM fields, 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 ``Innovations in Informal STEM
Learning Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
Section 2 of the STEM Education Act of 2015 is amended as follows:
(1) In the header, by striking ``definition of stem
education'' and inserting ``definitions''.
(2) By striking ``For purposes of'' and inserting ``(a) In
General.--For purposes of''.
(3) By inserting at the end the following:
``(b) Other Definitions.--For the purposes of this Act, the
following:
``(1) Institution of higher education.--The term
`institution of higher education' has the meaning given the
term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001(a)).
``(2) Non-profit organization.--The term `non-profit
organization' means an organization which is described in
section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and
exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such code.
``(3) PreK-8.--The term `preK-8' means pre-kindergarten
through grade 8.''.
SEC. 3. SUPPORTING PREK-8 INFORMAL STEM EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES.
Section 3 of the STEM Education Act of 2015 (42 U.S.C. 1862q) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(c) PreK-8 Informal STEM Education Program.--
``(1) In general.--The Director of the National Science
Foundation shall provide grants to institutions of higher
education or a non-profit organizations (or a consortia of such
intuitions or organization) on a merit-reviewed, competitive
basis for research on programming that engages students in
grades preK-8, including underrepresented and rural students,
in STEM education in order to prepare such students to pursue
degrees or careers in STEM subjects.
``(2) Use of funds.--
``(A) In general.--Grants awarded under this
section shall be used toward research to advance the
engagement of students, including underrepresented and
rural students, in grades preK-8 in STEM through
providing before-school, after-school, out-of-school,
or summer activities, including in single-gender
environments or programming, that are designed to
encourage interest, engagement, and skills development
for students in STEM.
``(B) Permitted activities.--The activities
described in subparagraph (A) may include--
``(i) the provision of programming
described in such subparagraph for the purpose
of research described in such subparagraph;
``(ii) the use of a variety of engagement
methods, including cooperative and hands-on
learning;
``(iii) exposure of students to role models
in the fields of STEM and near-peer mentors;
``(iv) training of informal learning
educators, youth-serving professionals, and
volunteers who lead informal STEM programs in
using evidence-based methods consistent with
the target student population being served;
``(v) education of students on the
relevance and significance of STEM careers,
provision of academic advice and assistance,
and activities designed to help students make
real-world connections to STEM content;
``(vi) the attendance of students at
events, competitions, and academic programs to
provide content expertise and encourage career
exposure in STEM;
``(vii) activities designed to engage
parents and families of students in grades
preK-8 in STEM, which may include the purchase
of parts and supplies needed to participate in
such competitions;
``(viii) innovative strategies to engage
students, such as using leadership skills and
outcome measures to impart youth with the
confidence to pursue STEM coursework and
academic study;
``(ix) coordination with STEM-rich
environments, including other nonprofit,
nongovernmental organizations, out-of-classroom
settings, single-gender environments,
institutions of higher education, vocational
facilities, corporations, museums, or science
centers; and
``(x) the acquisition of instructional
materials or technology-based tools to conduct
applicable grant activity.
``(3) Application.--An applicant seeking funding under this
section shall submit an application at such time, in such
manner, and containing such information as may be required.
Applications that include or partner with a nonprofit,
nongovernmental organization that has extensive experience and
expertise in increasing the participation of students in preK-8
in STEM are encouraged. The application may include the
following:
``(A) A description of the target audience to be
served by the research activity or activities for which
such funding is sought.
``(B) A description of the process for recruitment
and selection of students to participate in such
activities.
``(C) A description of how such activity or
activities may inform programming that engages students
in grades preK-8 in STEM.
``(D) A description of how such activity or
activities may inform programming that promotes student
academic achievement in STEM.
``(E) An evaluation plan that includes, at a
minimum, the use of outcome-oriented measures to
determine the impact and efficacy of programming being
researched.
``(4) Evaluations.--Each recipient of a grant under this
section shall provide, at the conclusion of every year during
which the grant funds are received, an evaluation in a form
prescribed by the Director.
``(5) Accountability and dissemination.--
``(A) Evaluation required.--The Director shall
evaluate the activities established under this section.
Such evaluation shall--
``(i) use a common set of benchmarks and
tools to assess the results of research
conducted under such grants; and
``(ii) to the extent practicable, integrate
the findings of the research resulting from the
activity or activities funded through the grant
with the current research on serving students
with respect to the pursuit of degrees or
careers in STEM, including underrepresented and
rural students, in grades preK-8.
``(B) Report on evaluations.--Not later than 180
days after the completion of the evaluation under
subparagraph (A), the Director shall submit to Congress
and make widely available to the public a report that
includes--
``(i) the results of the evaluation; and
``(ii) any recommendations for
administrative and legislative action that
could optimize the effectiveness of the program
under this section.
``(6) Coordination.--In carrying out this section, the
Director shall, for purposes of enhancing program effectiveness
and avoiding duplication of activities, consult, cooperate, and
coordinate with the programs and policies of other relevant
Federal agencies.''.
SEC. 4. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING INDUSTRY INVESTMENT IN STEM
EDUCATION.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) In order to bolster the STEM workforce pipeline, many
industry sectors are becoming involved in preK-8 initiatives to
educate students on the relevance and significance of STEM
careers and expose students to role models in the fields of
STEM and near-peer mentors to foster their interest in STEM;
(2) Partnerships with education providers, STEM focused
competitions, and academic programs, have become important
aspects of private sector efforts to strengthen the STEM
workforce;
(3) Understanding the work that private sector
organizations are undertaking in STEM fields should inform the
Federal Government's role in STEM education; and
(4) Successful private sector STEM initiatives, as
reflected by measurements of relevant outcomes, should be
encouraged and support by the National Science Foundation.
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