Youth serve as STEM ambassadors with Chief Science Officers International

This is the first of the Afterschool Alliance's new series of blogs highlighting examples of programs working at the intersection of STEM and civic engagement. We are excited to showcase the systemic change young people can make in their communities when their afterschool programs support them to layer action onto their STEM learning. This is part of our new “Collective for Youth Engagement in STEM & Society” (CYESS) initiative. If you would like to know more, please contact us.

By Eileen Healy, Program Development Coordinator, Chief Science Officers International.

Throughout in-school and out-of-school spaces alike, there has been an increased emphasis on STEM education in the past decade. Conversations about STEM education are almost always about youth and impact youth — yet youth rarely have a seat at the table. This is how the Chief Science Officer (CSO) program came to be. In this program, 6th through 12th grade students serve as STEM ambassadors representing their peers, their education spaces, and their community. In elevating youth voices in STEM, the CSO program works to

1. Create a global network of diverse STEM leaders
2. Foster communication and collaboration among CSOs
3. Enrich STEM culture and career awareness
4. Amplify student voice in STEM conversations in the community

As a Chief Science Officer, students have one main responsibility: their Action Plan. Their Action Plan can be any activity that enriches STEM in their community — whether they start a robotics club, revamp a community garden or organize a guest speaker for their local library, the Action Plan is designed to be reflective of their interests and the interests of their peers. CSOs within the same geographical area, such as a county, form a cabinet. Within their cabinet, CSOs can connect with their peers, collaborate on Action Plans, and plan events for their local community. A year in the life of a CSO is an experience shared by all CSOs across the globe and is built to support their leadership journey. All CSOs complete an initial Leadership Training Institute with their cabinet supported by CSO International, then reconnect with their cabinet of CSO peers twice a year to talk action plan strategies and successes.  Once a month, CSOs across the globe also connect virtually for CSO Saturday, where they can collaborate with CSOs in different time zones and learn from STEM professionals.

While the program was initially launched in schools, its value was quickly recognized in afterschool spaces as well. In Arizona, a regional science museum has CSOs who advise programming content and lead activities for younger students, while in Georgia, CSOs leveraged their leadership skills with a local Girl Scout Troop. CSO International is also partnered with the North America Scholastic Esports Federation (NASEF) to create a global cabinet of youth esports leaders.

If you are interested in bringing the CSO program to your afterschool setting, reach out to Eileen Healy at Chief Science Officers! With CSOs in sixteen states and counting, there may already be a local CSO cabinet you can join. If not, the program would love to work with you to start a new cabinet. CSO International provides everything you need to get started: program curriculum (including Leadership Training Institute materials, on-site support, and student handbooks), a secure GSuite domain where CSOs can connect globally, monthly cabinet coordinator support calls, annual cabinet coordinator conferences, family and advisor trainings, CSO Saturday coordination, national travel opportunities, and more – including support in developing partnerships for program funding.