Rep. Randy Feenstra (IA-04) cosponsored the Rural STEM Education Research Act as a member of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Today, this bill passed the House with bipartisan support.
The legislation was introduced by Rep. Frank Lucas (OK-03), Ranking Member of the Science, Space, and Technology committee. It seeks to award grants to nonprofit organizations or higher education institutions for research and development to advance STEM teaching in our rural schools. The bill also establishes a broadband research and development working group to explore challenges and opportunities for expanding broadband access and implementation.
“I am pleased that the Rural STEM Education Research Act has passed the House with bipartisan support. Both STEM education and quality broadband access are critical to the future success and revitalization of rural America. I am hopeful that this legislation will break down barriers rural Iowans face in receiving STEM education and identify the technological and logistical challenges we still must overcome to provide broadband to every last acre of land,” said Rep. Feenstra.
Full remarks, as prepared for delivery:
In this era of scientific and technological innovation, it has never been more important to ensure our students have access to quality STEM education programs -- especially in our rural communities.
Implementing high-speed, reliable broadband goes hand-in-hand with this goal.
That is why I urge my colleagues to support the Rural STEM Education Research Act.
Both STEM education and quality broadband access are critical to the future success and revitalization of rural America.
I am hopeful that this legislation will break down barriers rural Iowans face in receiving STEM education that is both forward-thinking and long-lasting for our rural communities.
This bill will also help us identify the technological and logistical challenges we still must overcome to provide broadband to every last acre of land.
I want to thank the gentleman from Oklahoma, Ranking Member Lucas, for his work on this important legislation.
Background
This bill directs the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support research regarding STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, including computer science) education in rural schools. Under this proposal, the NSF would enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to evaluate aspects of STEM education and workforce development in rural areas.
Additionally, the bill would direct the Office of Science and Technology Policy to establish a broadband research and development working group to address national research challenges and opportunities for improving broadband access and adoption across the United States. This legislation would also direct the National Institute of Standards and Technology to award prizes for research and development of creative technologies to deploy affordable and reliable broadband connectivity to underserved rural communities.
The Rural STEM Education Act is supported by the STEM Education Coalition, Battelle, STEMx, the National Science Teaching Association, the After School Alliance., the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., Microsoft, the American Chemical Society, the American Geophysical Union, the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, the Association of American Universities, and the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities.
Original source can be found here
