Programs
Chief Science Officers
Advocates for Student Voice and Innovation in their communities.
Program Overview
The Chief Science Officers program is comprised of students grades 6-12 who are elected by their peers to serve as STEM leaders and ambassadors in their schools and communities. During their time as CSOs, students are able to enhance their workforce and employability skills; join a global network of diverse STEM leaders prepared for college, careers, and civic engagement; increase the engagement of community and global STEM professionals; and implement STEM-focused action plans to impact their communities and raise awareness for the STEM causes they champion.
CSOs advocate for communication, interest, and engagement in STEM (“A” including the arts) innovation. They also streamline schools’ connections to local businesses and industry, higher education, and professional organizations, working with these entities to offer their peers and community members hands-on experiences that build STEM awareness and critical workforce skills. Collaboratively, CSOs function as a unified “Cabinet,” engaging in conversations to affect STEM perception at the local, state, and national levels, as well as transform school and community culture and broaden participation for everyone within their sphere of influence.
Real Leadership. Real Impact. Fund the Work Behind the Title.
Chief Science Officer isn’t an honorary title. It’s a real leadership role held by students in grades 6–12 who are already doing the work of leading STEM initiatives in their schools, running their own projects, and building community impact from the ground up.
They’ve stepped up. Now it’s our turn to back them.
Your gift funds the work behind the title — the training, the resources, the recognition, and the real-world opportunities that turn a student’s leadership into lasting impact. Every dollar goes directly to supporting Chief Science Officers across our network of schools and countries.
Here’s exactly what your gift funds:
- $50 — Funds a CSO’s Leadership Institute Training
- $100 — Sends a Chief Science Officer to the Youth Solutions Summit, a full day of leadership training and real-world problem solving.
- $500 — Funds a CSO’s Action Plan with the materials and support to turn their own project idea into reality in their school.
- $1,000 — Sponsors one CSO for a full school year: training, resources, and mentorship.
- $5,000 — Sends the CSO Leadership Council on their Citizen Science Trip to experience hands-on research, teamwork, and community service.
These students are already leading. They’re already doing the work. What they need now is the same investment we’d give any young leader with a real title and real responsibility.
This school year, help us fund the work behind the title for every Chief Science Officer stepping up in their community.
Give today. Fund the leadership. Fund the impact.
Global Impact
Launched in the fall of 2015, the CSO’s initial cohort included 78 Arizona schools and 138 CSOs. Today, the 2023-2024 cohort consists of over 800 CSOs in 15 U.S. cities, six countries, and counting! Together, they reach more than 200,000 peers and community members, and engage with 300+ mentors and partners.
These CSOs bring with them a variety of rich backgrounds and experiences. In Arizona alone, 73% of CSOs attend Title I schools, with female participants comprising 56%; males 45.5%; non-binary; 13.7 Asian; 3.4%; Black/African American 14.4%; Caucasian 39.9%; Latino 42%; Indian/Middle Eastern 3%; and Indigenous/Native/Pacific Islander at 3.6%
CSO Active Regions
We have participating Chief Science Officers programs in these U.S. states and countries.
