S 1070 — National STEM Week Act

Summary

National STEM Week ActThis 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.

Bill Text

Published by the reporting committee Not generated — this is the committee's own “Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported”.

Text to be removed appears in [brackets]. Newly inserted text is italicised in the official report and cannot be marked in this plain-text rendition — read the official PDF ↗ for the authoritative formatting.

changes in existing law made by 
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law 
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new 
material is printed in italic, existing law in which no change 
is proposed is shown in roman):

AMERICA COMPETES REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2010

 * * * * * * *

 TITLE I--OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY

 [42 U.S.C. 6621]

SEC. 101. COORDINATION OF FEDERAL STEM EDUCATION.

 (a) * * *
 (b) Responsibilities.--The committee established under 
subsection (a) shall--
 (1) * * *
 (2) * * *
 (3) * * *
 (4) * * *
 (5) * * *
 (6) * * *
 (7) * * *
 (8) * * *
 (9) request and review feedback from States on how 
 the States are utilizing Federal STEM education 
 programs and activities; [and]
 (10) recommend the reform, termination, or 
 consolidation of Federal STEM education activities and 
 programs, taking into consideration the recommendations 
 of the STEM Education Advisory Panel[.]; and
 (11) in consultation with relevant stakeholders, 
 designate a week each calendar year, until the 
 expiration date provided in subsection (e), as 
 ``National STEM Week''.
 (c) * * *
 (d) Reports.--
 (1) * * *
 (2) * * *
 (3) * * *
 (4) * * *
 (5) * * *
 (6) * * *
 (7) * * *
 (8) * * *
 (9) an account of Federal research agency investments 
 in HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs, including, to the degree 
 practicable, data on the level of participation of 
 HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs as prime recipients, contractors, 
 subrecipients, or subcontractors of an award, or 
 reasonable estimates thereof; [and]
 (10) a description of material changes to the 
 implementation of section 10522 of the Research and 
 Development, Competition, and Innovation Act[.]; and
 (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.
 (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.

 * * * * * * *

Source: S. Rept. 119-110 · govinfo

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill establishes a National STEM Week within the existing framework of federal STEM education coordination, requiring the committee to promote participation and report on the activities associated with this initiative.

• 42 U.S.C. 6621

  in consultation with relevant stakeholders, designate a week each calendar year, until the expiration date provided in subsection (e), as 'National STEM Week'.

  This addition mandates the designation of a National STEM Week each year to enhance public engagement in STEM education.

• 42 U.S.C. 6621

  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.

  This clause requires annual reports detailing the activities and impacts of National STEM Week, promoting accountability and improvements.

• 42 U.S.C. 6621

  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.

  This section defines key terms related to National STEM Week, providing clarity on what entities are involved and supporting the development of its programs.

• 42 U.S.C. 6621

  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.

  This outlines the objectives of National STEM Week, emphasizing its role in promoting STEM education and community engagement.

• 42 U.S.C. 6621

  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.

  These requirements detail the committee's responsibilities during National STEM Week, fostering collaboration between education and industry.

• 42 U.S.C. 6621

  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.

  This establishes a sunset provision for National STEM Week, limiting its designation and activities to a five-year period.

Action History

1. March 14, 2025

   Introduced in Senate

2. March 14, 2025

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

3. October 21, 2025

   Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

4. February 12, 2026

   Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-110.

5. February 12, 2026

   Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-110.

6. February 12, 2026

   Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 339.

7. February 26, 2026

   Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

8. February 26, 2026

   Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S716; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S716)

9. March 03, 2026

   Message on Senate action sent to the House.

10. March 03, 2026

    Received in the House.

11. March 03, 2026

    Held at the desk.

Sponsors

• Joni Ernst · Primary
• Amy Klobuchar · Cosponsor

Subjects