,i #aafth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #beah ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,may #c1 #bjai,mr4 ,david ,scott of ,georgia 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,takano1 and ,mr4 ,ferguson7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology ,a ,,bill ,to direct the ,director of the ,national ,science ,foundation to award grants for1 and support research on1 the development of makerspaces1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,making ,advances ,kinetic ,education1 ,research1 and ,skills ,act or the ,,makers ,act4 #b4 ,findings ,congress finds the following3 7#a7 ,maker communities can be found in both rural and urban communities throughout the ,nation4 7#b7 ,making has been shown to engage and motivate children and adults in ,,stem disciplines4 7#c7 ,informal education and makerspaces promote skills that employers desire1 such as technical skills1 problem-solving skills1 teamwork1 and analytical skills4 7#d7 ,studies have shown that underrepresented populations often have better successes in informal and out-of-school ,,stem than in formal ,,stem programs4 7#e7 ,some studies have shown that makerspaces help to build not only technical hard skills but also collaboration and other soft skills that employers desire4 #c4 ,purpose ,the purpose of this ,act is to encourage the formation and study of makerspaces to-- 7#a7 engage populations within community colleges and community environments in ,,stem programs2 7#b7 develop desirable ,,stem technical and other skills including collaboration2 and 7#c7 build a ,,stem-capable workforce4 #d4 ,definitions ,in this ,act1 the following definitions apply3 7#a7 ,historically ,black college or university ,the term 8historically ,black college or university0 has the meaning given the term 8part ,b institution0 under section #cbb of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajfa74 7#b7 ,makerspace ,the term makerspace means a community space that-- 7,a7 provides access to tools1 technology1 and knowledge for learners and entrepreneurs2 7,b7 results in the prototyping or creation of physical goods1 interdisciplinary learning1 and educational innovation2 and 7,c7 supports the development of educational opportunities for personal growth1 workforce training1 and early stage business ventures4 7#c7 ,minority-serving institution ,the term 8minority-serving institution0 means an institution listed in section #cga7;a7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajfgq7a774 7#d7 ,rural community ,the term rural community has the meaning given the term rural area in section #ebj of the ,housing ,act of #aidi 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #adij74 7#e7 ,,stem ,the term ,,stem means the subjects of science1 technology1 engineering1 and mathematics4 7#f7 ,workforce development component ,the term workforce development component means-- 7,a7 an economic development board or corporation1 including a ,state board or local workforce board2 7,b7 an internship program2 7,c7 a certificate program2 7,d7 employers or an employer or industry partnership representing multiple employers2 7,e7 a community-based organization2 or 7,f7 any other program considered acceptable by the ,director of the ,national ,science ,foundation4 #e4 ,grant program for research and capacity building of makerspaces 7a7 ,establishment ,the ,director of the ,national ,science ,foundation shall award grants on a competitive basis to institutions of higher education1 or consortia of such institutions1 to support the research and development of makerspaces to assist in the formation of a ,,stem-capable workforce4 7b7 ,use of funds ,a grant awarded under this section may be used for-- 7#a7 research on the effectiveness of makerspaces in engaging students and the community in ,,stem skills and in teaching and learning1 and the development1 compilation1 and dissemination of best practices on the use of makerspaces for ,,stem learning and workforce preparedness2 7#b7 equipment to achieve the purpose under paragraph 7#a72 and 7#c7 any other activities the ,director considers appropriate4 7c7 ,priority ,in selecting grant recipients under this section1 the ,director shall give priority to applicants that-- 7#a7 apply in partnership with #a or more entities that are-- 7,a7 a workforce development component2 7,b7 a high-need local education agency as described in section #i7;b77#c7 of the ,national ,science ,foundation ,authorization ,act of #bjjb 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ahfbn7b77#c772 or 7,c7 an independent nonprofit or academic makerspace2 7#b7 consist of #a or more entities that are-- 7,a7 a community college2 or 7,b7 a historically ,black college or university or other minority-serving institution of higher education2 or 7#c7 apply in partnership with or consist of an entity that is-- 7,a7 described in paragraph 7#a7 or 7#b72 and 7,b7 operates within a rural community4 7d7 ,limitation ,funds provided through a grant under this section may not be used for the construction of a physical building or facility to hold a makerspace unless the ,director determines that such construction is necessary for reasons of safety or the use of relevant equipment4 7e7 ,technical assistance ,the ,director may provide to entities receiving a grant or entities seeking such a grant under this section with technical assistance4