08.16.22

Hoeven Outlines Importance of STEM Education in Ensuring North Dakota & U.S. Remain Globally Competitive

Senator Addresses STEMKAMP in Grand Forks

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today addressed STEMKAMP, a Department of Defense (DoD)-funded program in Grand Forks that helps bring science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) activities to the children of active military personnel. The five-day program provides immersive activities to students between 3rd and 8th grade, and helps stimulate their interest in STEM fields by increasing their understanding of related careers and developing their critical thinking skills. As a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee, Hoeven works to ensure strong support in annual appropriations legislation for the National Defense Education Program, which established STEMKAMP in Grand Forks and nine other communities with military-connected schools.

“Programs like STEMKAMP are an investment in the future success of not only students, but our economy as a whole,” said Hoeven. “By supporting kids in developing the skills and knowledge needed to pursue STEM careers, we are helping ensure they can achieve their goals and lead fulfilling lives, while maintaining America’s competitive edge. Moreover, it will position these students to tackle critical challenges, from powering and feeding our nation to making advancements in health care, communications and countless other fields. That means a brighter and more prosperous future for North Dakota and our country.”

During the event, Hoeven discussed efforts to expand opportunities for students to gain training in STEM and pursue careers in the critical industries of the future, outlining how this will help secure North Dakota’s continued growth as a hub of technology entrepreneurship and ensure the U.S. remains competitive in the global economy. To this end, the senator is: 

  • Working to expand access to STEM education, including by:
    • Supporting the Student Support and Academic Enrichment program, which can be used by school districts to build greater capacity for STEM education.
    • Cosponsoring and helping pass legislation to expand the National Science Foundation’s STEM education initiatives for young children, including establishing new research grants to increase the participation of girls in computer science.
  • Cosponsoring the following measures to improve college affordability:
    • Employer Participation in Repayment Act, which allows employers to provide tax-free student loan repayment up to $5,250 per year.
    • Jumpstart Our Businesses by Supporting Students (JOBS) Act, a bill to extend Pell grant eligibility to students pursuing high-quality, shorter-term job training programs that meet regional workforce needs.
  • Supporting the success of the state’s tech entrepreneurs by helping introduce bipartisan legislation like:
    • The Support Our Start-Ups Act to enable entrepreneurs to deduct more of their start-up costs and invest more into their operations sooner.
    • The Portable Benefits for Independent Workers Pilot Program Act, which would make portable benefits more accessible for entrepreneurs and provide greater certainty for them and their families.

-###-