STEM MARCH Meeting

Introduction to STEM Talk Episode 11

  • Hosts:

    • Jenny Frank (Director of STEM Ecosystems Initiative at TIES)

    • James Brown (STEM Education Coalition)

    • Della Cronin (Bose Public Affairs)

    • Leslie Brooks (Afterschool Alliance)

  • Purpose:

    • Monthly discussions about STEM education, policy, and advocacy.

    • Provides factual information, practical strategies, and actionable resources.

    • Creates a dialog-focused environment for the STEM community.

Current State of STEM Appropriations FY 2026

  • Funding Updates:

    • Most STEM programs maintained level funding for FY 2026.

    • Positive news as many programs survived potential cuts.

  • Challenges Ahead:

    • National Science Foundation (NSF) currently without a director and facing staff shortages.

    • Questions about future allocation and spending of appropriated funds.

  • Urgency for Advocacy:

    • Congress has begun discussions on FY 2027 appropriations.

Key Developments and Trends

  • Topics to Watch:

    • AI Literacy initiatives

    • NSF consolidation efforts

    • New NASA workforce funding opportunities

  • Mounting Impacts:

    • Partisan shifts expected in the House of Representatives due to upcoming elections.

    • 18 swing seats identified; predicts changes in control.

    • Importance of appropriations action completion before summer recess for campaigning.

Overview of Legislative Activity

  • Key Legislation Passage:

    • Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education appropriations bill passed with level funding.

    • Commerce, Justice, Science bill for NSF funding also passed at level investments.

  • Preservation of STEM Education Directorate:

    • A significant advocacy victory for maintaining STEM program funding.

    • Continued funding for K-12 education, including Title IV Part A for STEM activities.

  • Concerns:

    • Ongoing uncertainty about fund distribution and program operations within the NSF amid organizational changes.

District-Level Advocacy Efforts

  • Importance of Constituential Feedback:

    • Congressional members benefit from knowing constituents' support for various education programs.

    • Opportunity to influence appropriations requests through vocal advocacy.

Federal Funding Processes Explained

  • Understanding Key Terms:

    • Programmatic Requests:

    • Indicates member congressional interest to fund specific programs.

    • Report Language:

    • Provides Congress's guidance on spending bills, illustrating agency operation priorities.

    • Earmarks:

    • Resurgence noted in recent cycles; indicates intently designated funds for member requests.

  • Example of Successful Advocacy:

    • Requests for preserving STEM Directorate and broadening participation functionalities in specific bills.

Federal Agency Specific Initiatives

  • Department of Labor's AI Literacy Framework:

    • A framework to guide national AI literacy directions for workforce and educational systems.

  • Ongoing AI Hearings:

    • Multiple congressional committees reviewing AI's impact on workforce development and education.

  • National STEM Week Act:

    • Successfully passed Senate; now awaiting House decision.

Future STEM Initiatives and Requests

  • Recommendations for Engagement:

    • Early targeting for next fiscal year’s appropriations requests encouraged.

    • Monitoring upcoming NASA and NSF funding opportunities.

  • Importance of Submitting Innovative Ideas:

    • Call for STEM community to present viable project ideas for funding consideration, even as existing programs undergo structural changes.

Question and Answer Highlights

  • NSF Funding Implementation Uncertainty:

    • Concerns about how NSF will administer allocated informal STEM money amidst changes in program organization.

  • Department of Defense Educational Funding Potential Cuts:

    • Current defense budgetary guide suggests potential pauses rather than outright cancellation of educational efforts.

Conclusion and Next Steps

  • Importance of Continued Advocacy:

    • Upcoming opportunities for advocacy, including advocating for after-school funding on March 6.

    • Engaging with the STEM advocacy platform to foster community connection and support.

  • Call to Action:

    • Monitor legislative developments and participate actively in advocacy opportunities for STEM education and workforce development initiatives.

    • Important links and resources will be provided for further information and involvement.