§3526 Improvement of Education in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics

Summary

The Director must regularly find ways to improve education in science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics (called STEAM) so the nation has people with those skills for long-term national security. The Director must run programs to carry out those actions and can give grants, cash awards, accept volunteers, support national competitions and ceremonies, and make education partnerships with schools. Definitions: Eligible entity — a federal or state department or agency, local government, a person, or a nonprofit or private group. Educational institution — any public or private school, college, university, or other organization that teaches STEAM or related fields. State — the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, and other U.S. territories. Under partnership agreements, the Director can loan equipment, provide teachers or help build courses, offer faculty sabbaticals and student internships, involve students and faculty in agency projects and let students earn credit for that work, and give academic and career help. The Director must give priority to historically black colleges and other minority-serving schools and to schools serving women and groups underrepresented in STEAM. The Director must also appoint one or more agency advisors on STEAM education and training.