Title II — National Aeronautics and Space Administration
II National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Sec. 202 NASA education programs
Sense of Congress— It is the sense of Congress that—
NASA is well-positioned to leverage its workforce and facilities, together with the excitement induced by space exploration, in providing students and educators with authentic STEM experiences;
whereas the Nation’s STEM programs have traditionally focused on mathematics and the sciences, NASA’s aeronautics and space exploration mission allows it a unique ability to engage students in engineering and technology development; and
NASA’s education and outreach programs have made a significant contribution to the Nation’s K–12 education efforts.
In general— The Administrator shall continue to provide education and outreach activities, including opportunities for experiential learning, designed to improve interest and proficiency among students and educators in mathematics and the sciences, as well as in engineering and technology development. Before finalizing any reorganization of NASA education programs, the Administrator shall consider the long-term research and workforce needs of each mission directorate.
Metrics— The Administrator shall ensure that NASA education programs have measurable objectives and milestones, as well as clear, documented metrics for evaluating programs. The Administrator, for each NASA education program or portfolio of similar programs, shall—
encourage the collection of evidence as relevant to the measurable objectives and milestones; and
ensure that program or portfolio evaluations focus on educational outcomes and not just inputs, activities completed, or the number of participants.
Best practices— The Administrator or the Administrator's designee shall ensure—
through participation in the National Science and Technology Council Committee on STEM Education, that—
best practices developed through NASA education programs, including proven methods in areas such as engineering education and outreach to underrepresented groups, are considered in the development, updating, and implementation of the Federal 5-year STEM education strategic plan; and
NASA education programs reflect best practices and educational research developed within other Federal agencies; and
NASA leverages its limited education resources by collaborating with external organizations in adapting or replicating successful NASA STEM education efforts.
Sec. 203 Experimental program to stimulate competitive research
The Administrator shall continue to conduct the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) in order to enhance research competitiveness of States and jurisdictions historically underserved by Federal research and development funding.
Sec. 204 Foundational engineering
Findings— Congress makes the following findings:
The Nation’s basic research and foundational engineering activities support innovation and can provide novel and transformative solutions to complex problems.
NASA investments in basic research, foundational engineering, and technology development have advanced the NASA mission, including through supporting materials design, modeling, and manufacturing.
NASA investments in basic research, foundational engineering, and the development of early-stage technologies remain critical to NASA's long-term mission.
Reaffirmation of policy— Congress reaffirms its support, as articulated in section 20102 of title 51, United States Code, for NASA’s efforts to expand understanding in the aeronautical and space sciences and to identify long-term opportunities relevant to operating in the atmosphere and in space. Congress further affirms the importance of technology development in supporting national leadership in these areas.
Foundational engineering capability— The Administrator shall ensure that NASA maintains a core capability to identify and support activities related to foundational engineering. The purpose of this capability shall be—
to forecast NASA’s future capability needs, including those needs not directly related to current missions;
to develop or identify potentially transformative technology concepts relevant to achieving the needs under paragraph (1);
to determine and implement an agency-wide strategy, that may include increasing research capacity and coordinating with external partners, for supporting research in foundational engineering; and
to support translating basic scientific research into new technology development.