Roadrunner Capitol Reports
Legislation Detail

HB 279 STEM TECHNOLOGY LABS

Rep Tanya Mirabal Moya

Actions: [4] HEC/HAFC-HEC

Scheduled: Not Scheduled

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Summary:
 House Bill 279 (HB 279) appropriates one million dollars ($1,000,000) to the board of regents of New Mexico State University for the Stem Outreach Center for expansion of stem technology labs statewide.
 
Legislation Overview:
 House Bill 279 (HB 279) appropriates one million dollars ($1,000,000) from the General Fund (GF) to New Mexico State University (NMSU) for expenditure for Fiscal Years (FY) 2025 for the Stem Outreach Center for expansion of stem technology labs statewide.

Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY 2025 reverts to the GF. 
Current Law:
 STEM Research and Partnerships (STEM-RP) is the organizational entity for the coordination of all STEM education research and outreach projects in partnership with the College of Education at NMSU. 
According to its website, the mission at the STEM Outreach Center is to build a K-16 pipeline Outreach Program for STEM-related professions by reaching out to school districts, educators, families, community agencies, and higher education institutions. The STEM Outreach Center Framework supports STEM education within the College of Health, Education Social Transformation (HEST) and partner districts. 
The Out-of-School Time programs offer accessibility for under-represented students in rural and isolated areas to explore STEM from an early age; Professional Learning programs such as MC2 (Mathematically Connected Communities) and EMSS (Elementary Math and Science Specialist) build capacity in math and science education focused on research-based practices; the NMC3 (NM Connected Community Collaborative) project builds a network and support for teachers, families, and caregivers by providing technology, pedagogy, and community resources. Partnerships are also important in amplifying the impact that the Center has in providing knowledge and expertise in a way that is inclusive of all stakeholders.
According to an Albuquerque Public Schools webpage, STEM labs exist in schools and are designed to expose students to hands-on activities they might not otherwise experience. Many resemble interactive children’s museums, with students choosing among stations ranging from circuits and robots to magnets and murals. All of the stations are standards-based and require problem-solving skills. 
https://stemcenter.nmsu.edu/ 
https://hestresearch.nmsu.edu/research-labs-and-projects/stem-research-and-partnerships-stem-rp.html
https://www.aps.edu/schools/aps-choice-checks/stem-steam-stealth