Chief Science Officers
- CSO Christy, Freeland High School
The Chief Science Officers (CSOs) program is a student-led initiative to increase interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Middle school and high school students are elected by their peers to be a CSO and are then empowered to influence a wide range of STEM opportunities in their schools and communities. Initiated in Arizona in 2015 and expanded nationally in 2017, the CSO Program increases the student government model to place youth squarely in the center of STEM promotion, experience and community action. In addition, the CSO program aims to enhance the engagement of STEM professionals and community partners in STEM education and build a cabinet of CSOs in schools across the country and around the world. Past and present Chief Science Officers learn valuable workplace skills during the program, including teamwork, networking, and problem-solving skills. Together, CSOs work with one another as a cabinet to collaboratively engage in conversations about STEM education and work on collective action projects.
Chief Science Officers program goals are to:
Create a pipeline of Diverse STEM Leaders Foster Communication and Collaboration among CSOs
Enrich School and STEM Culture and Career Awareness Increase Student Voice in STEM conversations in the Community
Leadership Training Institute
Over 100 middle and high school students are participating in this year’s GLBR East CSO Cabinet, representing 18,000+ of their peers from 27 schools and 14 school districts. The CSOs began their journey at the Leadership Training Institute in August here at Saginaw Valley State University. Students networked with over 30 different STEM professionals, and began to develop their STEM Action Plans to implement at their schools or communities.
Participating School Districts:
Bangor Township Schools, Bay City Public Schools, Bridgeport-Spaulding Community School District, Bullock Creek School District, Carrollton Public Schools, Diocese of Saginaw (Nouvel Catholic Central Middle and High Schools), Essexville-Hampton Public Schools, Freeland Community School District, Hemlock Public School District, Lutheran Schools, Missouri Synod (Bethlehem Lutheran and Holy Cross Lutheran Schools), Midland Public Schools, Public School Academy (Saginaw Preparatory Academy) Saginaw City School District, and Swan Valley School District.
See how the program impacts schools in this CSO Advisor Perspective video. If you’re a middle or high school located in Arenac, Bay, Midland or Saginaw County and are interested in joining the CSO Program please email STEM@svsu.edu for more information.
The Great Lakes Bay Region - East CSOs are funded by:
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