PROGRAMS

Chief Science Officers

Advocates for Student Voice and Innovation in their communities.

Program Overview​

The Chief Science Officer (CSO) program seeks to enhance the workforce and employability skills of 6-12th grade CSOs and their peers; foster a global network of diverse STEM leaders prepared for college, careers, and civic engagement; and increase the engagement of STEM professionals, higher education, and community organizations with K-12 schools as both partners and mentors in Action Plans for improving access to resources for all learners.

CSOs champion communication, interest, and engagement in STEM (STEAM when you include the arts) and innovation on and off campus. Programming includes leadership training and planning STEM engagement opportunities to ensure these opportunities reflect their peers’ interests. They also streamline schools’ connection to local businesses and industry, higher education, and STEM professionals and organizations, working with these entities to offer their peers and community members hands-on experiences that build STEM awareness and important workforce skills. Collaboratively, CSOs function as a unified “cabinet,” engaging in local, state, and national STEM conversations to change the perception of STEM at the local, state and national levels; transform school and community culture; and broaden participation for all students and community members.

Global Impact​

Launched in the fall of 2015, the initial cohort included 78 Arizona schools and 138 CSOs. Today, the 2022-2023 cohort consists of over 800 CSOs in five countries with new programs being launched every year. Together, they reach more than 100,000 peers and community members, and engage with 300+ partners and mentors.

These CSOs come from every walk of life. For example, 68% of Arizona CSOs come from Title I schools, including 180 female CSOs (50%); 97 Caucasian (27%): 78 Hispanic/Latino/Spanish (22%); 30 Asian (8%); 12 Black or African American (3%); 4 American Indian or Alaska Native (1%); 15 mixed minority (4%); 124 not defined (35%).

CSO International Cabinets

  • CSO International
    • At-Large
      • Grass roots effort in Washington, Turkey, Philippines, Sonora, Canada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, New York, Hawaii and more… 
  •  Arizona
    • Tucson
    • Pinal County
    • Southeast Arizona
    • Northern Arizona
    • Flagstaff
    • Verde Valley
    • East Valley
    • North Valley
    • Central Valley
    • West Valley
    • Mesa
    • Yuma
  • California
    • Orange County
  • Michigan
    • Great Lakes Bay Region – East
    • Great Lakes Bay Region – West
  • Oregon
    • Frontier
    • Southern Oregon
    • GO STEM
  • Pennsylvania
    • PA SEED
    • ENGINE of Central PA
  • Texas
    • San Antonio
    • Lubbock
  • Illinois
    • Chicago
  • Utah
    • Salt Lake City
  • Idaho
    • ISEE
    • INNC
    • SWISH
  • Colombia
    • Monteria
    • Bogota
  •  Kuwait
    • Kuwait City
  •  Kenya
    • Nairobi
  • Florida
    • Northeast (JAX)
    • Southeast (Broward)
  • Queretero, Mexico
    • PrepaTec
  • Guanajuato, Mexico
    • Media Superior
    • Secundaria
  •  Georgia
    • Atlanta

CSO International Cabinets Launching Soon

  • Alabama
    • North (1)
    • North East (2)
    • Central (3)
    • North West (4)
    • South Central (5)
    • South East (6)
    • South West (7)
  • United Kingdom
    • Leeds
  • Jalisco
    • Guadalajara
  • Iowa
    • Statewide
  • South Carolina
    • Gaffney