Meet the Chief Science Officers: High School STEM Leaders Shaping the Future

On this episode of Go! For Launch, hosts Audrey and MacKenzie are joined by two extraordinary high school leaders, Sophia and Michelle, who serve as Chief Science Officers through SciTech Institute’s international CSO program. From organizing STEM fairs to meeting with elected officials, these student changemakers are redefining what youth leadership looks like—and showing how young people can spark real impact in their communities.Sophia and Michelle share how they each found their way into STEM, what it means to be a Chief Science Officer, and why creating action plans has transformed their perspective on leadership, communication, and possibility. Whether they’re designing healthcare innovations or presenting at national conferences, these two are walking proof that curiosity, initiative, and collaboration can unlock powerful opportunities—at any age.You’ll also hear how the CSO program prepares students to lead, travel, and advocate for issues that matter, and how Sophia and Michelle are already thinking ahead to futures in biomedical research, AI, and regenerative medicine. If you’re a student (or know one) who’s looking to lead with purpose, this is the episode to press play on.In this episode, you’ll learn:1. What the Chief Science Officers program is—and how to get involved2. How action plans help students build real-world leadership and technical skills3. The power of student voice in shaping schools, policy, and community engagement4. Why exposure to conferences, travel, and networking is critical for young scientists5. What regenerative medicine and AI in healthcare could mean for the futureTimestamps:00:00:34 – Meet Sophia and Michelle: future biomedical innovators00:01:29 – What a Chief Science Officer is—and what they do00:03:10 – How they each discovered STEM and the CSO program00:05:45 – How to start a CSO chapter at your school00:08:11 – What is an “action plan” and why it matters00:10:11 – Favorite projects and building momentum across schools00:12:19 – Real-world lessons in leadership and professional growth00:14:38 – From Florida to Chicago to D.C.: learning to lead on the road00:16:05 – Talking with elected officials and advocating for STEM00:17:40 – Reflections on growth and community impact00:20:19 – Opportunities that emerged because of the CSO program00:22:35 – Advice for students who want to lead and make a difference00:25:32 – What’s next: colleges, careers, and continuing the mission00:31:07 – What excites them most about biotech and healthcare00:34:17 – Curiosities that keep them up at night—from environmental justice to unknowable scienceHelpful Links:• SciTech Institute’s Chief Science Officers Program – https://scitechinstitute.org/chief-science-officers/• National STEM Ecosystems – https://stemecosystems.org/• MIT InvenTeams – https://lemelson.mit.edu/inventeamsFollow Accelerator Media:https://x.com/xceleratormediahttps://instagram.com/xcelerator.media/https://linkedin.com/company/accelerator-media-org⸻This podcast is produced by volunteers at Accelerator Media, a nonprofit educational media organization. Our work is supported by listeners and viewers like you. If you’d like to help us ignite curiosity and inspire long-term thinking about our shared future, please consider volunteering with us or making a donation: https://acceleratormedia.org/donate/