Welcome to our video!  We are excited for you to meet our Chief Science Officers from around the United States, Kenya, Mexico and Kuwait.  CSOs are required to complete at least one Action Plan during the year.  As a project, our goals include amplifying student voice in STEM conversations in the community.  Post your questions here!

Greetings to the Team!  USA, Kenya, Mexico and Kuwait... As I was watching the presentation it made me wonder - how did the idea for this project come together?  How and why were these countries selected? 

Thanks Nickolay!  That is actually an incredible question.  They were not selected.  The first 2 years of the CSO Program were in Arizona only.  Southern Oregon, Great Lakes Bay Region Michigan and Kuwait all came on in the 3rd year through various connections in the STEM Learning Ecosystem and NSF connections.  The 4th year proved to be the most dynamic year for systems and structure of the program leading to other states and Sonora to get involved.  The cross border collaboration with Arizona & Mexico was key in expanding this upcoming year to 3 more states in Mexico.  Kenya is a member of the SLE CoP and we met during a conference!  It is completely a grass roots effort of telling the CSO story and getting them a seat at the table for STEM conversations happening in their communities.

What a great idea. Tell us a little more about how you recruit and select CSO youth? What is the curriculum to prepare them to serve in that role?

Chief Science Officers are 6th - 12th graders who represent a site, school, geographical area or club!  They are selected by their peers or club members, often in an election similar to student government, to attend the annual Leadership Training Institute to learn the basics of serving as a CSO for one year.  During the year, they must also attend Cabinet Meetings and submit their Action Plans.  We have students, teachers, administrators, community members and corporate sponsors connecting to start the program in locations around the world!  The CSO International Team supports each step in the process to create an experience focused on empowerment.  Each year, CSOs can be re-elected to serve and level up in the training program progression based on their participation in previous years.  CSOs can progress through 6 levels.

I've been impressed with the CSOs whom I've met at the annual STELAR conference.  I tried to promote the idea in our project in Detroit in order to get more students directly activated (we stimulated teacher leadership, but it is really the students who are the ultimate target--the peer values that CSOs are able to promote might help, but it's difficult to wean people off of a top-down approach).  You are welcome to come to Detroit to help us.

I continue to be impressed by the concept of the CSO and how you are expanding it over time. With some years of doing this under your belt, what can you say about impacts on the CSOs, the youth they are serving and the communities they are embedded in. I know you have ambitious goals ;o)

Another question is around what the CSOs end up doing. There are so many different ways in which they can be ambassadors, spokespersons, champions, or educators themselves, and I assume each one is his or her own mix of roles and responsibilities. Can you say more about how this pens out: what they see themselves being and how they enact their role as CSO?

I have been very impressed with the Chief Science Officer (CSO) students! They are inspirational young leaders who are very committed to making a positive difference in the world. The SciTech institute provides leadership training, mentors, and support. The CSO students choose and develop their individualized action plans based on their interests and passions. These action plans allow the students to create strategic plans that will guide them as they bring STEM alive in their communities. The SciTech Institute empowers the students to build the skills and connections that set the students up for success in their action plan projects and throughout their life.

In conversations with the CSO students, I learned how their participation in the Chief Science Officer program has helped them change from the shy students they once were to the confident, young leaders that they are today. They are so appreciative of the SciTech team, the advisors, the mentors, the supporters, the alumni, and the other students for helping them grow and develop in so many ways. The students have built lifelong friendships and memories as they have moved out of their comfort zones and said “Yes!” to the opportunities and challenges that were presented to them. Being part of the CSO program has definitely made a positive impact in their lives. As role models, these students will go on to influence many other young leaders and their collective actions will change the world!

 Thanks Martin!  We are also impressed with the CSOs and how they are making an impact on the program.  We have empowered them to help craft the training sessions, develop Action Plans and lead the new CSOs to success.  I have asked the CSOs to write responses to your questions and look forward to sharing soon!  As the Director of Student Success, the impact I notice the most in each CSO is their confidence or personal growth.  When they have a chance to design, create and build individual Action Plans to make an impact in their communities the investment to their project is evident.  While we encourage them to fail fast, fail forward, fail smart and fail often - the most prominent growth aspect is always in their reflection of process.  They also become articulate about their passion for STEM over time!  It is incredible to watch them interact with adults and see the transformation happen live.  It is truly the best part about my role with the CSO Program!

Do you have any data on those students who don't succeed in being a CSO? Sometimes there is a lot to be learned from what didn't work. Tell us more about those students who drop out or aren't able to successfully meet the goals.

What an incredible video and way to celebrate the Chief Science Officers Program.  As the Chief Science Officer Arizona Regional Lead, I am able to see the vision intersect with the impact.  Students across Arizona are able to develop strong leadership skills focused on impacting their schools and communities for STEM in a very powerful way.  

The CSOs and the program are truly impressive. These young STEM leaders exude poise, confidence, and passion as talk with STEM leaders and constituents, develop and execute action plans, and use their student voice to amplify STEM advocacy in their communities and beyond! Great job CSOs, keep up the amazing and passionate work!

These students give me hope that we have a bright future ahead of us, in this country and in the world!