S T E M
I N
P R A C T I C E
CHIEF SCIENCE OFFICERS EXPERIENCE PRACTICAL LEARNING ABOUT STEM AND LEADERSHIP CLAIRE LABEAUX
The Chief Science Officers (CSO) International
These classes had a profound impact on me; I
program fosters the development of students
learned that science can be taught in a myriad of
who are passionate about science. It provides a
manners and that there is never a concrete
pathway for youth to connect their interests to
solution to a problem. It appeals to both logic and
education.
creativity.
Chief Science Officers are middle and high school
students
from
around
the
world
Before
joining
organisation,
I
the
noticed
Chief the
Science severe
Officer lack
of
empowered to identify gaps in areas of STEM
communication about STEM in my community.
that matter to them personally; then they build
There
leadership skills as they develop related action
extracurriculars centered around STEM offered at
plans and champion interest and engagement
my school; and there was little to no information
in STEM and innovation.
regarding current STEM events. In 2019, I learned
were
very
few
academic
courses
or
Student voice is a key component of the
about this Chief Science Officer organisation that
program; CSOs are taught to advocate for
focuses on improving STEM culture in communities,
themselves and their fellow students. To that
and I joined without hesitation.
end, in the following compilation of illustrations, the CSOs will describe their own experiences. CSO Ananda, an 11th-grade student at
Banneker High School in Atlanta, GA, says: From a young age, I have enjoyed science
I began working towards sharing information about the STEM domain to high school students in the Metro-Atlanta area where I am located. I was able to create an action plan revolving around FCAST,
a county-wide podcast and Instagram
immensely. In primary school, my teacher
page that would connect with students. [These
would teach us about the wonders of science
programs have a broad reach, as they are now
with interactive lessons and assignments (e.g.,
developed and accessed by students from several
Oreo visuals of the phases of the moon, the TV
schools in the region.] Our goal is to give support to
show Science Court, Bill Nye the Science Guy,
our community and help it improve.
student-made raps about the water cycle, etc.).
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