Oregon Chief Science Officers

Chief Science Officers (CSO) is a first-of-its-kind program where 6th to 12th grade students serve as their site’s liaison for STEM and innovation.  CSOs are part of a cohort of student leaders who experience leadership training, impact STEM opportunities at their schools and in their local communities, and work as a collective cabinet to give input and ideas to adult STEM leaders in their region.  The program seeks to inspire student and community STEM awareness and encourage the pursuit of STEM education and careers.

The overarching goals are to:
  • Create a global network of diverse STEM leaders
  • Foster communication and collaboration among CSOs
  • Enrich STEM culture and career awareness
  • Amplify student voice in STEM conversations in the community

Read the Chief Science Officers state report to learn more about the 2020-2021 Oregon CSO program.

Student Program Benefits

  • Industry chats with various STEM organizations and programs such as: NASA jet propulsion laboratory, semiconductor technology lab, computer science programming, defense intelligence agency, health science experts, organic chemistry professors, medical school panels, quantum computing, and many more
  • Weigh-ins on national education policies
  • Exclusive CSO scholarship opportunities
  • Being a steward of STEM within your school and community
  • Connections to regional STEM organizations to support and implement your action plan
  • CSO International connectivity events
  • Having authentic student voice in decision-making discussions within the CSO program and beyond
  • "Equity for Everyone" CSO committee on equity and inclusion practices throughout the program
  • Network of state CSOs connectivity events and support
  • Sharing your CSO experience with school and community peers to expand program knowledge access