SIA Endorses House Bills to Promote Math, Science Careers
Staff Reporter -- EDN, May 12, 2006
The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) expressed strong support Thursday for a package of three bills aimed at improving the teaching of math and science and encouraging young Americans to pursue careers in technology, research, and math and science education.
The bills, which originated in the House Science Committee, were introduced by Representative John Schwartz (R, MI) and Representative Michael McCaul (R, TX).
The three-bill package includes the “Science and Mathematics Education for Competitiveness Act,” which will be introduced by Representative Schwartz as the lead sponsor. One of the bill’s provisions will expand the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program by providing scholarships to students who commit to a teaching career after graduation with a major in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.
Another bill in the package is the “Early Career Research Act,” which will be introduced by Representative McCaul as the lead sponsor. The bill expands the Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program at the National Science Foundation (NSF) and a similar program at the Department of Energy by providing grants to scientists and engineers at the early stage of their careers at universities and research institutions. The bill also requires the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to report on efforts to recruit and retain young researchers.
The final bill in the package is the “Research for Competitiveness Act,” which will be introduced by Representative McCaul as the lead sponsor. The bill will authorize the NSF and Department of Energy to carry out programs to award grants to scientists and engineers to conduct research projects designated as “high-risk, high-return” activities relevant to U.S. industries, the SIA said.
“America’s future competitiveness depends upon maintaining our historic leadership in advancing the frontiers of science and technology,” SIA President George Scalise said in a statement. “Today we are simply not graduating enough scientists and engineers to ensure continued leadership in innovation and technology. Leadership in innovation and technology is the critical to enhancing productivity of American workers, growing our economy, improving our standard of living and ensuring our national security."
“We encourage Congress to act promptly on this package of bills to train the engineers and scientists of tomorrow,” Scalise concluded.
