Issue link: http://frankenmuthcvb.uberflip.com/i/1194654
For many high school students leadership isn't intuitive, it's a skill that needs to be developed. At Frankenmuth High School, a new leadership community for students interested in STEM careers has provided just the right growth opportunity. The Chief Science Officers (CSO) are an international program, supported locally by SVSU, that allows Mid-Michigan students the chance to explore STEM related interest through collaboration with students from neighboring schools and interactions with local businesses. Each year, two selected FHS students attend CSO Leadership Training at SVSU where they learn about the CSO mission, project management, acting professionally and other skills that will aid in successfully implementing their ideas and future careers. Throughout the year students attend cabinet meetings where they learn about local STEM businesses and collaborate with students from neighboring schools. Last years CSOs, Maggie Guinther and Erich Laux, visited MDOT in Saginaw to learn about the Zilwaukee bridge construction project, tour inside the bridge and interview employees from several divisions of MDOT. Later in the year they traveled to Hemlock Semiconductor (HSC), toured the facility to learn about manufacturing processes and speak with HSC engineers. This summer Maggie and Leah Neilson put their skills to use educating the community about lake sturgeon during August's Cass River sturgeon release event. In October, they visited the Chippewa Nature Center to learn about conservation efforts, careers and opportunities they can bring back to FHS. Involvement in the CSO program is providing access to some unique opportunities for our student leaders. Maggie recently traveled to Washington DC as one of two representatives from Mid-Michigan at the International CSO Summit, and Erich received a college internship opportunity as a result of the experiences and skills they gained as a CSO. Adlai Stevenson once said, "It's hard to lead a cavalry charge if you think you look funny on a horse." The CSO program is providing the tools for our students to feel comfortable in their saddle to lead and excite Frankenmuth students interested in STEM. BY G O R D O N C U LV E R Chief Science Officers 18