Chief Science Officers (CSO) Program (SciTech Institute)

Provided By

Chief Science Officers is a year-long program to develop youth STEM leaders in grades 6–12 by giving them access to a global network and supporting them in enhancing their community and school programs. Students participate in leadership and mentorship experiences and increase their awareness of STEM careers and career pathways.

Logic Model

Program Activities

Students

Work to promote increased awareness of STEM education opportunities among students, parents, and educators
Gain an increased awareness of STEM careers and career pathways
Participate in leadership and mentorship experiences

Program Near-Term Outcomes

Students

Increase awareness of STEM careers
Increase awareness of STEM career pathways
Gain leadership and mentoring experience

DSEC Near-Term Outcomes

Students

Increased student engagement and interest in STEM (formal and informal)
Increased participant STEM competencies (skills, knowledge, abilities, and confidence)
Increased participant awareness of, and interest in STEM research and careers

Participant Perspectives

Participant perspectives reflect survey responses from 2025-2026, the first year of survey administration.

Of 1308 student participants, 254 responded to the survey.

Students

Grades 6-8

Nothing at all
A little
Some
A lot

The Chief Science Officers (CSO) Program increased my awareness of STEM careers.

26.6% 71.8%

n = 177 valid responses

Grades 6-8 (career interest)

Not at all interested
A little interested
Moderately interested
Very interested

Chief Science Officers (CSO) Program increased my interest in STEM careers.

23.7% 67.2%

n = 177 valid responses

Grades 6-16

Disagree
Slightly Agree
Moderately Agree
Strongly Agree

The Chief Science Officers program increased my understanding of how to apply STEM workforce skills.

8.7% 37% 53.1%

n = 254 valid responses

The Chief Science Officers program increased my awareness of STEM education opportunities available to me.

32.7% 61.4%

n = 254 valid responses

The Chief Science Officers program increased my confidence in pursuing a future STEM career.

9.1% 35% 52.8%

n = 254 valid responses

The Chief Science Officers program increased my ability to advocate for STEM learning opportunities for other students.

39.4% 53.1%

n = 254 valid responses

The Chief Science Officers program increased my ability to present to my peers about the role of STEM in the community.

11.8% 31.1% 55.5%

n = 254 valid responses

The Chief Science Officers program increased my ability to encourage youth like me to understand what’s going on in the community.

8.3% 37% 53.1%

n = 254 valid responses

The Chief Science Officers program increased my ability to speak in front of a crowd.

15.7% 34.3% 45.7%

n = 254 valid responses

The Chief Science Officers program increased my ability to collaborate with community leaders or elected officials.

13.8% 37.8% 43.7%

n = 254 valid responses

The Chief Science Officers program increased my interest in a STEM job or career.

13% 49.4% 35.1%

n = 77 valid responses

The Chief Science Officers program helped me learn about different kinds of STEM jobs and careers.

44.2% 46.8%

n = 77 valid responses

Program Data

Program data includes participants from both years of Base Period (2024-2025 and 2025-2026).

Students

2,379 total student participants

Student Grade Level

Military-Connected Students

Category	Count	%
Military-connected	190	8%
Not Military-connected Student	2,189	92%