The Chief Science Officers (CSO) program is an international initiative that empowers middle and high school students to become STEM ambassadors in their schools and communities.
Supported locally by the Philadelphia Education Fund, CSOs take on real leadership roles—developing action plans, organizing events, and representing student voices in STEM. Through mentorship, collaboration, and hands-on experiences, CSOs grow into confident leaders who drive meaningful change in science education.
This spring, 8th grade CSOs at Gratz Prep Middle Mastery Charter School brought STEM to life through a student-led science fair and an action plan that inspired curiosity and excitement among their peers. These students worked closely with their CSO Advisor and Science Teacher at Gratz Prep Middle, Cynthia Spiecker, dedicating long hours to prepare for their events. From researching supplies to managing logistics—and even reminding fellow students to turn in permission slips—Cynthia’s guidance and support played a vital role in their success. We extend a huge thank you to Cynthia for the many, many hours she devoted to this effort.
The science fair and the CSOs’ Spring Cabinet Meeting, held at Fairmount Water Works, were standout moments of the season and highlighted the energy and creativity that these student leaders brought to their work throughout the spring.
We asked Edgar, one of our CSOs at Gratz Prep, to reflect on what the program meant to him:
What did being a CSO teach you about yourself or how you work with others?
CSO taught me that I am capable of working with others. I am also able to communicate properly with others if I work hard at it. It taught me that I was able to do something that seemed like a big task and overwhelming at first, but became easier.
What part of your CSO experience made you feel most inspired or excited?
The part where I was able to see microorganisms for the first time in the microscopes at the Waterworks. We used iPad microscopes during our Spring Cabinet meeting experience. It helped me to see how complex life on earth really is. This made me excited to learn more complex science topics in high school.
What was your proudest moment during the science fair or while carrying out your action plan—and why?
My most exciting moment was being able to handle and show people the drones. This got other students interested in science and how it can be used in daily and advanced activities.
We are proud of Edgar and all our CSOs for their leadership, creativity, and commitment to advancing science education in their school community.
