SB 265 - This act creates the "STEM Career Awareness Activity Fund" for the purpose of establishing a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) activity program for students in grades nine through twelve. Under the act, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) shall select a provider to deliver a teacher-led program that involves facilitating a cohort of students to conduct STEM activities at state, national, or international competitions. DESE shall select a provider that presents data demonstrating the effectiveness of the program in achieving certain goals specified in the act. DESE shall begin soliciting applications from providers by January 1, 2026, and select a provider by March 1, 2026.

This act is identical to a provision in SCS/SB 976 (2024) and is substantially similar to HB 1972 (2024), SB 535 (2023), HB 887 (2023), and to provisions in HCS/SB 1039 (2024), HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 411 & 230 (2023), and HCS/HB 502 (2023).

OLIVIA SHANNON

Statutes affected:
Introduced (0637S.01): 161.264

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Senate Committee Minutes:
SENATE COMMITTEE MINUTES Bill No.: SB 265
Sponsor: Fitzwater
Hearing Date: 3/11/2025


COMMITTEE: Education

CHAIRMAN: Brattin

DATE REFERRED: 2/13/2025 DATE HEARING REQUESTED: 2/26/2025



STAFF:
Tom Estes
Heidi Kolkmeyer
Olivia Shannon


WITNESSES GIVING INFORMATION:



WITNESSES FOR:
Sarah Schlemeier - Next Missouri
Jill Ott - Science Coach
Cade Tremain - MO Chamber of Commerce


WITNESSES AGAINST: