NASA’S CONTRIBUTION TO EDUCATION.

SEC. 202. [51 U.S.C. 40901 note] NASA’S CONTRIBUTION TO EDUCATION. (a) Sense of Congress.—It is the sense of Congress that NASA is uniquely positioned to interest students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, not only by the example it sets, but through its education programs. (b) Educational Program Goals.—NASA shall develop and maintain educational programs— (1) to carry out and support research based programs and activities designed to increase student interest and participation in STEM, including students from minority and underrepresented groups; (2) to improve public literacy in STEM; (3) that employ proven strategies and methods for improving student learning and teaching in STEM; (4) to provide curriculum support materials and other resources that— (A) are designed to be integrated with comprehensive STEM education; (B) are aligned with national science education standards; (C) promote the adoption and implementation of high-quality education practices that build toward college and career-readiness; and (5) to create and support opportunities for enhanced and ongoing professional development for teachers using best practices that improve the STEM content and knowledge of the teachers, including through programs linking STEM teachers with STEM educators at the higher education level.