New Proposed Legislation Would Support Programs to Encourage Women’s Participation in STEM Fields

New legislation now before Congress would provide $15 million annually for the next five years to support programs that aim to increase the number of women studying in STEM fields. The “Women and Minorities in STEM Booster Act of 2016” was sponsored by Mazie Hirono, senator from Hawaii.

The legislation calls for outreach, mentoring, and professional development programs at the college level to encourage women to participate in STEM disciplines. Some of the funds would be used for outreach programs in K-12 education to boost interest in STEM fields. The grants under the program would be administered by the National Science Foundation.

Senator Hirono is a graduate of the University of Hawaii and the Georgetown University Law Center.