Allie Wenskoski, Senior
The Chief Science Officer (CSO) program was established in 2019 with the mission statement of giving students a voice in promoting science in our school and community. Any student can become a Chief Science Officer and our current Palisades High School officers are seniors Emma Watson, Cortez Catalano, Matt McClintic, and Macy Sexton. Officers are peer elected and work throughout the school year to promote STEM based activities. There are over 1,100 Chief Science Officers worldwide.
One of the first accomplishments of the Chief Science Officer program was to create the STEM Outreach Club that allows all other students to be involved too. The club currently has over a dozen members and their first project was called Planting With a Purpose. This project partnered with Key Club to plant trees in areas that needed it. In the spring, the program planted fifty-five trees in Nockamixon State Park with the help of the Nurture Nature Center. Currently, the CSOs are working with Springfield Township to plan their 2022 spring tree planting at Peppermint Park.
Two current Chief Science Officers Macy Sexton and Cortez Catalano were interviewed about their positions. Catalano joined the program in 2020 while Sexton became an officer just this past year. I asked both for the mission statement of the CSO program and Catalano was adamant that the CSO program was created to promote the “pursuit of STEM throughout our community” and that STEM should be introduced to all ages. Furthering this, Sexton was clear that the program is project based so not only is there more STEM awareness, but something is being done about it too. She emphasized the importance of having a student voice in STEM fields and stated that the program is currently collaborating with many people in order to promote STEM in elementary schools “with a focus on hands-on, independent engagement.” Catalano additionally mentioned that he participated in the program’s tree planting at Lake Nockamixon last spring. When asked what their favorite part of the program is, both had similar answers that involved the amazing STEM community that the CSO program helps to build.
How can you become a Chief Science Officer? Officers are voted into their positions by other members of the STEM Outreach Club. In order to become eligible for nomination, you must join the STEM Outreach Club and attend at least nine meetings over the year. You can also get involved by following the STEM Outreach Club on Instagram at @PaliSTEMClub. As the CSO motto states, “Don’t just hope it happens, make it happen!”
Source: https://chiefscienceofficers.org/
Interview Courtesies: Cortez Catalano and Macy Sexton
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