PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Congressional Research Service
Version 49 · Public Law · Dec 24, 2019
Building Blocks of STEM Act
This bill modifies National Science Foundation (NSF) grant programs that support STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, including computer science) education.
(Sec. 3) The bill instructs the NSF, when awarding grants under the Discovery Research PreK-12 program, to improve the focus of research and development on elementary and prekindergarten education.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
(Sec. 4) The bill specifies that NSF grants to increase the participation of underrepresented populations in STEM fields may be used for research into various subjects regarding female students in prekindergarten through elementary school, including
the role of teachers and caregivers in encouraging or discouraging participation by such students in STEM activities, and
the types of STEM activities that encourage greater participation by such students.
(Sec. 5) The bill specifies that NSF grants to research computer science education and computational thinking may be used to support development and implementation of various tools and models for teaching and learning, including
developing and offering female-inclusive computer science enrichment programs, and
acquainting female students in prekindergarten through elementary school with careers in computer science.
People & committees
Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV] · D–NV
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Became Public Law No: 116-102.
Became Public Law No: 116-102.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H9362)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H9362)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 737.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H9362-9363)
Ms. Johnson (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Held at the desk.
Received in the House.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S5760-5761)
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 180.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Wicker under authority of the order of the Senate of 08/01/2019 without amendment. With written report No. 116-78.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Wicker under authority of the order of the Senate of 08/01/2019 without amendment. With written report No. 116-78.
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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