Making Advances Kinetic Education, Research, and Skills Act or the MAKERS Act
This bill requires the National Science Foundation (NSF) to award competitive grants to institutions of higher education for researching and developing makerspaces to grow the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce. Makerspaces are community spaces that provide learners and entrepreneurs with tools, technology, and knowledge for prototyping or creating physical goods and support educational opportunities for personal growth, workforce training, and early-stage business ventures.
When awarding the grants, the NSF must prioritize certain recipients, including (1) community colleges and minority-serving institutions; and (2) those that partner with workforce development entities, high-need local educational agencies, or independent nonprofit or academic makerspaces.