[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2475 Introduced in House (IH)]
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118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2475
To direct the Director of the National Science Foundation to award
grants for, and support research on, the development of makerspaces,
and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 3, 2023
Mr. David Scott of Georgia (for himself, Mr. Takano, Mr. Ferguson, and
Mr. Fitzpatrick) introduced the following bill; which was referred to
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To direct the Director of the National Science Foundation to award
grants for, and support research on, the development of makerspaces,
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 ``Making Advances Kinetic Education,
Research, and Skills Act'' or the ``MAKERS Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) Maker communities can be found in both rural and urban
communities throughout the Nation.
(2) Making has been shown to engage and motivate children
and adults in STEM disciplines.
(3) Informal education and makerspaces promote skills that
employers desire, such as technical skills, problem-solving
skills, teamwork, and analytical skills.
(4) Studies have shown that underrepresented populations
often have better successes in informal and out-of-school STEM
than in formal STEM programs.
(5) Some studies have shown that makerspaces help to build
not only technical hard skills but also collaboration and other
soft skills that employers desire.
SEC. 3. PURPOSE.
The purpose of this Act is to encourage the formation and study of
makerspaces to--
(1) engage populations within community colleges and
community environments in STEM programs;
(2) develop desirable STEM technical and other skills,
including collaboration; and
(3) build a STEM-capable workforce.
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act, the following definitions apply:
(1) Historically black college or university.--The term
``historically Black college or university'' has the meaning
given the term ``part B institution'' under section 322 of the
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061).
(2) Makerspace.--The term ``makerspace'' means a community
space that--
(A) provides access to tools, technology, and
knowledge for learners and entrepreneurs;
(B) results in the prototyping or creation of
physical goods, interdisciplinary learning, and
educational innovation; and
(C) supports the development of educational
opportunities for personal growth, workforce training,
and early stage business ventures.
(3) Minority-serving institution.--The term ``minority-
serving institution'' means an institution listed in section
371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1067q(a)).
(4) Rural community.--The term ``rural community'' has the
meaning given the term ``rural area'' in section 520 of the
Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1490).
(5) STEM.--The term ``STEM'' means the subjects of science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics.
(6) Workforce development component.--The term ``workforce
development component'' means--
(A) an economic development board or corporation,
including a State board or local workforce board;
(B) an internship program;
(C) a certificate program;
(D) employers or an employer or industry
partnership representing multiple employers;
(E) a community-based organization; or
(F) any other program considered acceptable by the
Director of the National Science Foundation.
SEC. 5. GRANT PROGRAM FOR RESEARCH AND CAPACITY BUILDING OF
MAKERSPACES.
(a) Establishment.--The Director of the National Science Foundation
shall award grants on a competitive basis to institutions of higher
education, or consortia of such institutions, to support the research
and development of makerspaces to assist in the formation of a STEM-
capable workforce.
(b) Use of Funds.--A grant awarded under this section may be used
for--
(1) research on the effectiveness of makerspaces in
engaging students and the community in STEM skills and in
teaching and learning, and the development, compilation, and
dissemination of best practices on the use of makerspaces for
STEM learning and workforce preparedness;
(2) equipment to achieve the purpose under paragraph (1);
and
(3) any other activities the Director considers
appropriate.
(c) Priority.--In selecting grant recipients under this section,
the Director shall give priority to applicants that--
(1) apply in partnership with one or more entities that
are--
(A) a workforce development component;
(B) a high-need local education agency as described
in section 9(b)(3) of the National Science Foundation
Authorization Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 1862n(b)(3)); or
(C) an independent nonprofit or academic
makerspace;
(2) consist of one or more entities that are--
(A) a community college; or
(B) a historically Black college or university or
other minority-serving institution of higher education;
or
(3) apply in partnership with or consist of an entity that
is--
(A) described in paragraph (1) or (2); and
(B) operates within a rural community.
(d) Limitation.--Funds provided through a grant under this section
may not be used for the construction of a physical building or facility
to hold a makerspace unless the Director determines that such
construction is necessary for reasons of safety or the use of relevant
equipment.
(e) Technical Assistance.--The Director may provide technical
assistance to entities receiving a grant or entities seeking such a
grant under this section.
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