Bill Details
S.1070 - 119th Congress
Status
Latest action
2026-03-03 - Held at the desk.
Introduced Date
2025-03-14
Policy Area
Education
Committees
View committees (1)
Sponsors
Cosponsors
View cosponsors (1)
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This bill would create a yearly National STEM Week to encourage more students to get involved in science, technology, engineering, and math. The goal is to boost American innovation and make STEM education more available to all students, especially those in rural, urban, and underserved communities. During this week, schools, families, communities, and industry partners would be encouraged to take part in STEM-related activities, mentoring, and outreach that help students learn about STEM and the careers it can lead to.
- Schools and colleges would be encouraged to hold STEM activities that help students learn in fun and practical ways.
- Families would be encouraged to join in at-home STEM activities to support student interest and learning outside the classroom.
- Businesses and other industry partners would be asked to help through mentorships, guest talks, site visits, funding, and other support.
- Congress would also require a report on participation, the impact of the week, and ideas for improving future STEM Week events. The authority for the program would end five years after the bill becomes law.
Official Summaries
National STEM Week Act
This bill requires the National Science and Technology Council's Committee on STEM to designate a week each calendar year as National STEM Week. (STEM refers to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.)
During this established week, the committee must encourage educational institutions (i.e., elementary schools, secondary schools, and institutions of higher education) to participate in the week and also encourage families of students attending these educational institutions to participate in STEM activities. Additionally, the committee must encourage STEM industries to (1) engage with students enrolled in educational institutions by providing mentorship programs, site visits, and guest lectures; and (2) support STEM education initiatives at these educational institutions through funding, resources, and expertise.
The committee must annually report to Congress on the activities conducted during the established week.
Current Full Text
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1070 Engrossed in Senate (ES)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 1070
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To establish a National STEM Week to promote American innovation and
enhance STEM education pathways for all students, including those in
rural, urban, and underserved communities.
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 ``National STEM Week Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
(STEM) fields are crucial to the economic competitiveness and
innovative capacity of the United States.
(2) There exists a need to enhance access to quality STEM
education across all demographics and regions to address
disparities in STEM participation and to ensure a capable
future workforce.
(3) Informal and formal learning environments, including
afterschool programs and at-home activities, play significant
roles in stimulating interest and proficiency in STEM subjects.
(4) Collaborations between educational institutions,
industry partners, and communities can effectively inspire and
prepare students for careers in STEM.
SEC. 3. DESIGNATION OF NATIONAL STEM WEEK.
Section 101 of the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42
U.S.C. 6621) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (9), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(B) in paragraph (10), by striking the period at
the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(11) in consultation with relevant stakeholders,
designate a week each calendar year, until the expiration date
provided in subsection (e), as `National STEM Week'.'';
(2) in subsection (d)--
(A) in paragraph (9), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(B) in paragraph (10), by striking the period at
the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(11) a description of the activities conducted under
National STEM Week, including--
``(A) a summary of nationwide participation and
activities;
``(B) an analysis of the impact of these activities
on improving STEM education and closing educational
gaps; and
``(C) recommendations for improving future STEM
Weeks based on feedback from participants and
stakeholders.''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(e) National STEM Week.--
``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
``(A) Educational institution.--The term
`educational institution' means any elementary school,
secondary school, and institution of higher education.
``(B) Elementary school; secondary school.--The
terms `elementary school' and `secondary school' have
the meanings given the terms in section 8101 of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 7801).
``(C) Industry leader.--The term `industry leader'
means an individual in a leadership position within an
industry partner who has the authority to make
strategic decisions and allocate resources to support
the purposes of National STEM Week.
``(D) Industry partner.--The term `industry
partner' means a for-profit or nonprofit entity seeking
to support the purposes of National STEM Week.
``(E) Institution of higher education.--The term
`institution of higher education' has the meaning given
the term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001).
``(F) STEM.--The term `STEM' means science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics.
``(G) State.--The term `State' means each of the 50
States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the District
of Columbia, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of
the Northern Mariana Islands, and the United States
Virgin Islands.
``(2) Purposes.--The purposes of National STEM Week are,
through the programs and activities described in paragraph (3),
to--
``(A) highlight the importance of STEM education in
educational institutions across the country;
``(B) showcase diverse career pathways within STEM
fields in both classroom settings and informal learning
environments;
``(C) encourage family engagement with STEM
activities at home to foster a conducive learning
environment;
``(D) facilitate partnerships between educational
institutions and industry leaders to provide students
with real-world applications and mentorship
opportunities in STEM fields; and
``(E) support States and local communities in
developing and promoting their own STEM Week activities
and resources, tailored to their unique educational and
industrial landscapes.
``(3) Programs and activities.--During National STEM Week,
the committee established under subsection (a) shall carry out
the following:
``(A) Educational activities.--Encourage
educational institutions to participate in National
STEM Week.
``(B) Community and family engagement.--Encourage
families of students attending the educational
institutions participating in National STEM Week to
participate in STEM activities.
``(C) Industry involvement.--Encourage STEM
industries to--
``(i) engage with students enrolled in
educational institutions by providing
mentorship programs, site visits, and guest
lectures; and
``(ii) support STEM education initiatives
at such educational institutions through
funding, resources, and expertise.
``(4) Expiration.--The authority to designate a week as
National STEM Week and to carry out all programs and activities
described in this subsection shall expire on the date that is 5
years after the date of enactment of the National STEM Week
Act.''.
Passed the Senate February 26, 2026.
Attest:
Secretary.
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 1070
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To establish a National STEM Week to promote American innovation and
enhance STEM education pathways for all students, including those in
rural, urban, and underserved communities.