Congressman David Scott (D-GA-13) wants to close the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) skills gap at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), community colleges, and Minority-Serving Institutions. Earlier this week, Scott, chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, introduced the bipartisan Making Advances Kinetic, Education, Research and Skills (MAKERS) Act, which would promote the development of a STEM-capable workforce by directing funds towards the research and development of makerspaces.
He was joined by a number of peers in sponsoring the bill, including another Georgia Congressman, Drew Ferguson (R-GA-03). Others signing on to the bill are: Representatives Mark Takano (CA-41), Tim Ryan (OH-13), Steve Cohen (TN-09) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01).
Makerspaces are workspaces where students can use tools and technology, such as 3D printers, laser cutters, or other equipment they might not otherwise have access to.
“Our nation is a leader for the world in science and innovation, but the STEM workforce must grow to sustain its position in the increasingly-competitive environment,” said Scott. “Education inequalities prevent our STEM industries from fully embracing our country’s strength in diversity. I am proud to announce this bipartisan bill with my colleagues to address this problem and I will continue to work to make the STEM workforce more accessible for all Americans, regardless of their backgrounds.”
According to Scott, the bipartisan MAKERS Act would improve access to makerspaces by directing the National Science Foundation to award research grants, prioritized for HBCUs, MSIs and community colleges, to purchase equipment for STEM learning in makerspaces and to further study the effectiveness of makerspaces in engaging students with STEM skills.
The Georgia Congressman points to research that shows that Black and Hispanic workers are underrepresented in STEM jobs. Black workers comprise 11 percent of all employed adults, yet only 9 percent of STEM positions; Hispanic workers comprise 17 percent of employed adults but make up only 8 percent of those employed in STEM jobs, Scott said.
“This legislation is critical in building the STEM workforce desperately needed to advance our nation’s economy and outcompete China. I strongly encourage the House to take up and pass this bill without delay. We cannot afford to wait,” said Congressman Tim Ryan, a Democrat from Ohio.
Scott says he has made advancing workforce opportunities “that meaningfully reflect the diversity of all communities” a top legislative priority in Congress. Last month, in the Build Back Better Act, the U.S. House passed bipartisan legislation spearheaded through the Agriculture Committee by Scott to provide $100 million in permanent funding for student scholarships at the nineteen 1890 land-grant HBCUs.
