Legislation Introduced to Fund Nontraditional STEM Programs
Congress is currently considering legislation that would provide funding for nontraditional programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, or STEM. The Innovation Inspiration School Grant Program is intended to broaden student access and interest in STEM careers in order to grow the pipeline for a globally competitive workforce.
The initiative would provide competitive grants to districts and high schools, giving priority to rural, urban, and low-performing schools, or those that serve low income students. The Innovation Inspiration School grants would fund nontraditional STEM programs, like robotics, in high schools. Districts would be required to partner with the private sector for 50% matching funds and to recruit STEM mentors to serve as role models.
The bill, H.R. 2247, was recently introduced in the House by Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH) and Rep. James Langevin (D-RI). A Dear Colleague letter is currently circulating and seeking additional co-sponsors.
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) introduced the bill, S. 716, in the Senate back in April with the support of co-sponsors, Senators Mark Begich (D-AK), Chris Coons (D-DE), Al Franken (D-MN), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), John Kerry (D-MA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Harry Reid (D-NV), and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).
The program has been inspired by such programs as FIRST Robotics, which is one example of a type of program this legislation would support. By providing nontraditional STEM programs with federal funding, legislators hope to encourage students to pursue careers in STEM fields in order to advance U.S. competitiveness in science, technology, and innovation.
“We need to transform our education system and figure out how to move from the older kind of industrial model of education and into an education system that figures out how to engage the kids, and I think the robotics programs and STEM programs do that,” Rep. Tim Ryan said.
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen stated, “By boosting students’ STEM education opportunities, this legislation will not only improve our young people’s chances of finding good jobs, but will sow the seeds of our economic prosperity for years to come.”
To compete for Innovation Inspiration School Grants, applicants will be required to describe to the Department of Education how the program would be implemented; identify and recruit STEM mentors; support teachers through stipends and other incentives; reach out to young women and other traditionally underrepresented minorities in STEM; identify private partners to support the programs; and evaluate the grant project.