110 HR 4151 IH: STEM Promotion Act of U.S. House of Representatives 2007-11-09 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I 110th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 4151 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES November 9, 2007 Mr. Reyes introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor A BILL To expand the public awareness of science, technology, engineering, and math and encourage Americans to study and enter those fields as a matter of strategic importance for the United States.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the STEM Promotion Act of 2007.

2.

Findings

The Congress finds the following: (1)It is in the interest of the United States to expand the pipeline of Americans pursuing education in the fields of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (in this Act referred to as a STEM field) and entering professions in a STEM field so that the country will achieve strategic goals in meeting workforce demands and in promoting innovative behavior and economic competitiveness. (2)Increasing the number of individuals from groups under-represented in the professions in the STEM fields is essential to expanding the labor pipeline in order to meet strategic national goals in meeting STEM field workforce needs, promoting innovation, and promoting economic competitiveness.

3.

Promotion of entry into STEM fields

(a)

Authority To contract, subject to appropriations

From the sums appropriated under subsection (g), the Secretary of Education is authorized to enter into a contract with firms with demonstrated records of success in advertising to implement a campaign to expand the population of qualified individuals in STEM fields by encouraging young Americans to enter those fields. (b)

Design of campaign

Such a campaign shall be designed to enhance the image of education and professions in the STEM fields and promote participation in the STEM fields and shall include— (1)monitoring trends in youth attitudes toward pursuing education and professions in the STEM fields and their propensity toward entering the STEM fields; (2)determining what factors contribute to encouraging and discouraging Americans from pursuing study in STEM fields and/or entering the STEM fields professionally; (3)determining what specific factors limit the participation of groups currently underrepresented in STEM fields, including Latinos, Native Americans, African-Americans, and women; and (4)drawing from the market research performed under this section and implementing an advertising campaign to encourage young Americans to take up studies in STEM fields, beginning at an early age. (c)

Required components

Such a campaign shall include components that focus tailored messages on appropriate age groups, starting with elementary school students. (d)

Priority

Such a campaign shall hold as a high priority making specific appeals to Latinos, Native Americans, African-Americans, and women, who are currently under-represented in the STEM fields, in order to increase their numbers in the STEM fields, and shall tailor recruitment efforts to each specific group. (e)

Use of variety of media

Such a campaign shall make use of a variety of media, including television advertising, to reach its intended audience. (f)

Teaching

Such a campaign shall include a narrowly focused effort to attract current professionals in the STEM fields, through advertising in mediums likely to reach that specific group, into teaching in a STEM field in elementary and secondary school. (g)

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, such sums as are necessary.