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Kaptur Introduces Coast Guard Youth STEM Programs Expansion Act

June 12, 2019

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), introduced the bipartisan Coast Guard Youth STEM Programs Expansion Act, to grant the Coast Guard expanded authority to partner with the Department of Education and the Department of Defense to improve STEM exposure for America's elementary and secondary school students and their teachers. Rep. Kaptur introduced the legislation on a bipartisan basis with Congressman Don Young (AK-At-Large).

Specifically, the Coast Guard Youth STEM Programs Expansion Act:

  • Allows the Coast Guard to coordinate with the Department of Education to establish programs to improve STEM knowledge and skills for elementary and secondary school students and faculty;
  • Allows the Coast Guard to cooperate and coordinate with the Department of Defense to establish programs to improve STEM knowledge and skills for elementary and secondary school students and faculty- particularly DOD's STARBASE Program; and
  • Allows the Coast Guard to expand beyond traditional STEM skills to focus on expertise particularly important to their own mission, including limnology, marine science, and oceanography.

"Now more than ever the innovation capacity of the United States—our prosperity and security—depends on an effective and inclusive STEM education ecosystem and workforce" said Rep. Kaptur. "According to the National Science Board's Science and Engineering Indicators 2018, Americans' basic STEM skills have modestly improved over the past two decades, however, they continue to lag behind many other countries. Given the Coast Guard's mission of coastal defense and maritime law enforcement, daily activity relies significantly on STEM skills. What better way to expose America's young people to the adventures and opportunities of the Coast Guard's mission than increased partnership with America's youth. This legislation will improve Americans' STEM skills while creating a viable pipeline of intellectually prepared young people to serve in our nation's Coast Guard and innovation sector."

STEM skills are best learned at an early age, in elementary and secondary school, and are the essential prerequisites for technical training, advanced college-level and graduate study, and success in technical careers. With the range of federal agencies partnered to coordinate federal STEM initiatives, the Coast Guard is uniquely situated to advance this important mission.

Bill text for the legislation can be found here

kaptur.house.gov