5th District Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty is touting final passage of the Smith-Esty STEM Education Act. 

Esty says the bipartisan bill strengthens ongoing science, technology, engineering, and math education efforts at federal science agencies and ensures computer science is included in these efforts as a subject that builds on the traditional STEM subjects.  Esty says this bill also supports competitive merit-reviewed grants for informal STEM education, which is learning outside of the classroom at places like museums, science centers, and afterschool programs.

No new or additional spending is authorized in this bill.  The bill now awaits the President's signature.

Esty says more and more jobs of the 21st century require science, technology, engineering, and math skills, and this bill will help children thrive and be competitive in a global economy.  She notes that manufacturers and others are finding it tough to find workers with the necessary technical and critical problem-solving skills to fill jobs in demand.