2020 - 2021 CSO Overview
Leadership Training Institute
While adjusting to a fully remote program the Chief Science Officers program still had nearly 70 students participate in 2020-2021! These CSOs represented over 18,000 of their peers from twenty-six schools and fourteen districts throughout Bay, Midland, and Saginaw counties. CSOs and their advisors attended a virtual Leadership Training Institute in August 2020. During the training, students developed their STEM action plans, shared their elevator pitches, brainstormed for the upcoming year with other CSOs, and heard from CSO Alumni! The LTI was facilitated by the GLBR CSO Leadership Council; these students also developed a mentorship model for new CSO students and teams and improved the GLBR CSO social media presence.
Participating School Districts:
Bangor Township School District, Bay City Public Schools, Bridgeport-Spaulding Community Schools, Carrollton Public Schools, Diocese of Saginaw (Nouvel Catholic Central Elementary and High Schools), Essexville-Hampton Public Schools, Frankenmuth School District, Freeland Community School District, Hemlock Public Schools, Lutheran Schools, Missouri Synod (St. John’s Lutheran School and Valley Lutheran High School), Midland Public Schools, Saginaw City School District, Saginaw Township Community Schools, and Swan Valley School District
Action Plans
CSOs didn’t let a global pandemic stop them from making an impact in their schools and communities. During 2020-2021, CSOs developed creative action plans such as distributing STEM@Home kits to local elementary and middle school students, created STEM newsletters and websites, and hosted online mathematics festivals and STEM career panels.
Computer Science STEM Professionals Interview
Cabinet Meetings
CSO students and advisors attended a virtual Fall Cabinet Meeting and “Explored Covid-19” by interacting with a wide variety of STEM professionals, including a SVSU Chemistry Professor, an Infection Prevention Nurse from Mid-Michigan Health, and an Inhalation Toxicologist from Dow. CSOs rotated through breakout room sessions with each STEM professional to learn how Covid-19 affected various industries and organizations.
The winter Cabinet Meeting was also a virtual event, with CSOs participating in the GLBR Student Sustainability Summit in February 2021. The Summit included a keynote address from Beyond Benign, a regional panel consisting of K-12 and college representatives discussing various sustainability topics, as well as a breakout session with local business leaders to learn about their efforts in sustainability.
Held in March 2021, the virtual spring Cabinet Meeting focused on the development of additional leadership skills, as well as soft skills. The meeting included a panel discussion on the Value of Internships in partnership with the GLBR Alliance and the CSO Alumni Network. CSOs also participated in breakout rooms with professionals from SVSU; discussions focused on the importance of professional networking, job-related skills, leadership development, and active listening.
Celebration
At the yearly CSO Celebration, all CSOs are recognized for their accomplishments in their schools and communities. Special recognition is given to the students, advisors, and community partners who went above and beyond to spread STEM awareness and ensure the success of the CSO program in the Great Lakes Bay Region.
2020-21 GLBR Cabinet and Regional Awardees:
Innovative CSOs: Hayden R (St. John’s Lutheran School) and Brady V (Nouvel Catholic Central Elementary School)
Innovative CSO Team: Emma D, Alexa S, Ms. Sheri Turner, and Ms. Gwen Windiate (Christa McAuliffe Middle School)
Outstanding CSO Advisor: Ms. Christine Brillhart (Jefferson Middle School)
Outstanding CSO Industry Mentor: Ms. Lisa Kastanya (Midland Recycling)
Master CSOs: Sahiba K (Jefferson Middle School) and Ava N (H.H. Dow High School)
Master CSO Team: Avian A, Jaden D, Ben H (Bay City Western High School)
Legacy CSO Award: Ashley H and David J (Valley Lutheran High School)
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