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Dear STEM Ecosystem Colleagues,
We have a unique and exciting opportunity given some recent conversations with theOffice of Science and Technology Policy at White House. If this is of potential interest, would love to connect with your team ASAP via phone.
Based on heightened interest in the Chief Science Officers initiative, we are looking to identify potential dissemination locations to build regional Chief Science Officers cabinets nationally. Given how STEM Ecosystems are designed to bring together collaborators in education, industry, government, community and philanthropy to support student success, we thought it would make sense to first reach out to our colleagues in the STEM Ecosystems network. If this is of interest and we have not already connected with your team, please reach out to me at jer…@azcommerce.com and we can set a time to connect ASAP.
Background (see attached or below)
In response to the Administration’s call to expand early childhood STEM education, public and private-sector organizations across the Nation are launching innovative efforts to build regional and statewide STEM programs for America’s youth. Even more exciting, at the recent White House Science Fair, a student suggested to the President to increase student voice by having student STEM advisors (see here).
In Arizona, one such initiative is the Chief Science Officer Program (CSO) that address both. The grassroots CSO program positions middle and high school aged students at the center of STEM advocacy, student experience and community action. The CSO strategy approaches school transformation at the socio-cultural level to foster student involvement and voice in STEM education, and organically elevate the popularity of STEM subjects through peer-to-peer interaction.
The CSO program aims to elevate the popularity of STEM by empowering students to bring opportunities to campus and ensure they (the students) are a respected voice for STEM within their communities. They identify opportunities for speakers, STEM-related field trips, and science nights that reflect the interests and desires of their peers. They also help increase exposure to existing STEM programs such as robotics, code clubs and science fairs. Moreover, CSOs are linked with “SciTech Jedi’s,” corporate mentors from the community that bring expertise, perspective, support and guidance. CSOs range from grades 6 through 12 and are ELECTED by their fellow classmates, expanding on the student government leadership model. The inaugural class of 2015-2016 consist of 138 elected CSOs from 78 schools across the State. Over half of the CSOs are female (58%) and nearly half are Hispanic (45%).
Sincerely,
Jeremy
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