Section 161.264

Title XI EDUCATION AND LIBRARIES

Chapter 161

Effective - 28 Aug 2025, see footnote   

  161.264.  STEM career awareness activity program, purpose — providers, selection procedure — fund created, use of moneys — rules. — 1.  Subject to appropriation, the department of elementary and secondary education shall establish a statewide program to be known as the "STEM Career Awareness Activity Program" to increase STEM career awareness among students in grades nine through twelve.  For the purposes of this section, "STEM" means science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

  2.  The department of elementary and secondary education shall promote the statewide program beginning in the 2026-27 school year.  The program shall introduce students in grades nine through twelve to a wide variety of STEM careers and technology through an activity program that involves participating in STEM-related activities at state, national, or international competitions.

  3.  (1)  By January 1, 2026, the department of elementary and secondary education shall solicit proposals to provide the activity program.  By March 1, 2026, the department of elementary and secondary education shall select a provider for the program.

  (2)  The department shall select a provider that presents quantitative or qualitative data demonstrating the effectiveness of the program in any of the following areas:

  (a)  Helping teachers improve their instruction in STEM-related subjects;

  (b)  Increasing the likelihood that students will go on to study a STEM-related subject at a four-year college upon graduation from high school; or

  (c)  Increasing the likelihood that students will enter the STEM workforce upon graduation from high school or college.

  (3)  The department shall select a provider that delivers a program that meets the following criteria:

  (a)  Provides an activity program that is led by teachers who are fully certified to teach in STEM-related subjects in grades nine through twelve under the laws governing the certification of teachers in Missouri; and

  (b)  Facilitates a cohort of students in grades nine through twelve to participate in STEM-related activities at state, national, or international competitions.

  4.  Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections 2 and 3 of this section to the contrary, the department of elementary and secondary education may choose a third-party nonprofit entity to implement the statewide program, solicit proposals, and select a provider as described under subsection 3 of this section.

  5.  There is hereby created in the state treasury the "STEM Career Awareness Activity Fund".  The fund shall consist of any appropriations, gifts, bequests, or public or private donations to such fund.  The state treasurer shall be custodian of the fund.  In accordance with sections 30.170 and 30.180, the state treasurer may approve disbursements of public moneys in accordance with distribution requirements and procedures developed by the department of elementary and secondary education.  The fund shall be a dedicated fund and, upon appropriation, moneys in the fund shall be used solely for the administration of this section.  The state treasurer shall invest moneys in the fund in the same manner as other funds are invested.  Any interest and moneys earned on such investments shall be credited to the fund.

  6.  The department of elementary and secondary education may promulgate all necessary rules and regulations for the administration of this section.  Any rule or portion of a rule, as that term is defined in section 536.010, that is created under the authority delegated in this section shall become effective only if it complies with and is subject to all of the provisions of chapter 536 and, if applicable, section 536.028.  This section and chapter 536 are nonseverable and if any of the powers vested with the general assembly pursuant to chapter 536 to review, to delay the effective date, or to disapprove and annul a rule are subsequently held unconstitutional, then the grant of rulemaking authority and any rule proposed or adopted after August 28, 2025, shall be invalid and void.

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(L. 2025 S.B. 68 merged with S.B. 150)