[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 131, 115th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


Public Law 115-7
115th Congress

An Act


 
To inspire women to enter the aerospace field, including science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics, through mentorship and
outreach. <>

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 ``Inspiring the Next Space Pioneers,
Innovators, Researchers, and Explorers (INSPIRE) Women Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

The Congress finds that--
(1) NASA GIRLS and NASA BOYS are virtual mentoring programs
using commercially available video chat programs to pair
National Aeronautics and Space Administration mentors with young
students anywhere in the country. NASA GIRLS and NASA BOYS give
young students the opportunity to interact and learn from real
engineers, scientists, and technologists.
(2) The Aspire to Inspire (A2I) program engages young girls
to present science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
(STEM) career opportunities through the real lives and jobs of
early career women at NASA.
(3) The Summer Institute in Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Research (SISTER) program at the Goddard Space
Flight Center is designed to increase awareness of, and provide
an opportunity for, female middle school students to be exposed
to and explore nontraditional career fields with Goddard Space
Flight Center women engineers, mathematicians, scientists,
technicians, and researchers.
SEC. 3. SUPPORTING WOMEN'S INVOLVEMENT IN THE FIELDS OF AEROSPACE
AND SPACE EXPLORATION.

The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration shall encourage women and girls to study science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics, pursue careers in aerospace,
and further advance the Nation's space science and exploration efforts
through support of the following initiatives:
(1) NASA GIRLS and NASA BOYS.
(2) Aspire to Inspire.
(3) Summer Institute in Science, Technology, Engineering,
and Research.
SEC. 4. <>  PLAN.

Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Science,

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Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a plan for how
NASA can best facilitate and support both current and retired
astronauts, scientists, engineers, and innovators, including early
career female astronauts, scientists, engineers, and innovators, to
engage with K-12 female STEM students and inspire the next generation of
women to consider participating in the fields of science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics and to pursue careers in aerospace. This
plan shall--
(1) report on existing activities with current and retired
NASA astronauts, scientists, engineers, and innovators;
(2) identify how NASA could best leverage existing
authorities to facilitate and support current and retired
astronaut, scientist, engineer, and innovator participation in
NASA outreach efforts;
(3) propose and describe a program specific to retired
astronauts, scientists, engineers, and innovators; and
(4) identify any additional authorities necessary to
institute such a program.

Approved February 28, 2017.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 321:
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 163 (2017):
Jan. 10, considered and passed House.
Feb. 14, considered and passed Senate.
DAILY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS (2017):
Feb. 28, Presidential remarks.