U.S. Rep. Vernon Ehlers, R-Mich., a major advocate for math and science education, has announced that he will retire.

Ehlers, a real-life nuclear physicist, is one of the co-chairs of the STEM Education Caucus, a group of lawmakers who work to enhance education in math, science, engineering, and technology in K-12, higher education, and in the workforce.

And Ehlers often reaches across the aisle on behalf of STEM education. For instance, last year, he introduced this bill with Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., that would charge the National Assessment Governing Board with drafting voluntary math and science standards. States would receive incentive grants to adopt them. (The bill is one of a number of proposals floating around Capitol Hill that was very Race to the Top before there even was a Race to the Top).