Exploring Student Leadership E25
Engaging with student leaders and empowering their voice in decision making is the key to the continued success of the Chief Science Officers Program at SciTech Institute. During the show, learn how CSOs use their voices for change on campus and in their communities. Consider your own role in the journey of others, especially in STEM.
The conversation revolves around the experience with Chief Science Officers in Pennsylvania’s PA SEED Cabinet and collaborations with the STEM Ecosystem network. CSOs are required to complete at least one Action Plan during the year. Many students work together and do more than one to amplify student voice. These student STEM ambassadors are inspired to bring their peers and community leaders together to ignite new opportunities in STEM and innovation. Through digital support systems and opportunities, CSOs encourage each other to find success. It is an incredible network of changemakers.
Chief Science Officers is a program that allows students grades 6-12 around the world to create an impact on their communities. They are given the resources, guidance, and networks they need to promote STEM to their peers and the world around them. The CSO program not only enriches the community but also the CSOs themselves as they learn soft skills that are vital to successfully complete their action plans.
Sneha Indrakanti is a 4th year Chief Science Officer. She is from Hatboro-Horsham High School and is part of the Pennsylvania Seed Cabinet.
While COVID 19 has had an impact on her journey as a CSO, she worked with her fellow CSOs at her school to continue to promote STEM through online posts and eventually was able to teach the STEM class at her local elementary school.
This year she will be involved in a leadership role in the cabinet.
Montgomery County Intermediate Unit provides services that meet the educational and social service needs of Montgomery County’s 200-plus schools, including public school districts, non-public schools, career-technical schools, charter schools, and the PA Department of Education.
The Pennsylvania STEM Experiences for Equity and Diversity (PA SEED) Ecosystem is a collaboration of stakeholders committed to engaging its local and global community in connected science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) learning.
Stephanie Schwab is the STEM Program Administrator for Montgomery County Intermediate Unit and a member of the PA SEED Ecosystem Executive Team.
In both of these roles, she works to support school districts in developing and implementing STEM curriculum, assessments and effective instructional practices and to connect and cultivate relationships among school districts and various stakeholder groups working to improve STEM education for all students.
Stephanie’s passion for STEM began at a young age when she realized she wanted to be a mathematics teacher. Over the years that passion has grown as she has advanced throughout her career as a middle and high school mathematics teacher, instructional coach and curriculum supervisor.
Her two children have added to her inspiration to continually improve STEM experiences for all students. Stephanie is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and holds a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction.
Connect with Stephanie on LinkedIn and Twitter and follow Pennsylvania CSO on Twitter.
Kammas Kersch is the STEM Services Coordinator at the Chester County Intermediate Unit and proudly serves on the Executive Team for PA SEED STEM Ecosystem.
Connect with Kammas on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Pennridge High School is part of the Pennridge School District in Bucks County Pennsylvania. They are active members of the Chief Science Officers Program.
Dr. Dina Dormer is an advisor for the Chief Science Officers program in the Pennridge School District.
She teaches chemistry, serves as the science department coordinator, and serves as an advisor for other student clubs and teams.
About Our Sponsor
SciTech Institute™ was established as the Arizona Technology Council Foundation as the conduit for collaboration among STEM industry, academia, civic, and non-profit organizations in Arizona. Now, rebranded and named the SciTech Institute™ the goal centers around aligning assets and resources to motivate individuals to pursue STEM-related educational and career paths or find a passion while engaged in community events during the SciTech Festival.
The Chief Science Officer program highlights the 6th-12th graders that have been selected as leaders in their schools and communities to receive training to build a world-class community of diverse STEM-literate workers and knowledgeable, engaged citizens. Science For All allows for tax credit donations to provide engaging experiences for students while RAIN (Rural Activation Innovation Network) focuses on resources for the rural areas of Arizona.
As a STEM Learning Ecosystem, SciTech Institute™ focuses on collaboration and connecting individuals with opportunities! STEM Professionals are encouraged to engage with the future workforce by serving as a mentor, leadership coach, panelist, keynote and session trainer during a variety of conferences hosted or sponsored by SciTech Institute™ and The Arizona Technology Council.
Teachers and Administrators are invited to connect with the resources available while activating a large network of STEM champions for student projects, judges at events, volunteers, exhibitors and more. SciTech Festival Event Coordinators are supported during the planning and execution of community STEM events around the state by the SciTech STREET Team Members and the growing network of volunteers. The possibilities are endless! SciTech Institute™ looks forward to connecting with you today. Visit SciTechInstitute.org today for more information.
Follow SciTech Institute on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Your STEM Unplugged Hosts
After grow up in rural New York and joining the United States Army, Kelly Greene learned quickly to adapt to her surroundings to be successful. She attended Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio to earn her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education.
She also enlisted in the United States Army and after graduating from training, Kelly traveled the world with the military. While stationed in Misawa, Japan, she fell in love with learning about cultures around the world. Even as a deployed Soldier during Operation Iraqi Freedom for two tours, she found opportunities to connect with the local children to form the Victory Base Council Girl Scouts with her fellow servicemen.
In 2013, she was deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and traveled the country by air. During this deployment, she had the opportunity to utilize the most advanced technologies available to the tactical HUMINT operations in theater. Upon return from combat, she retired with 21 years of service and began teaching. From 6th grade Math to 7th grade STEM, Kelly used her enthusiastic nature combined with her strong classroom management to design curriculum based on the Engineering Design Process!
Now, as the Chief Operating Officer at SciTech Institute, Kelly is excited to serve the communities in Arizona and beyond to share their interest in STEM!
Connect with Kelly on LinkedIn.
Claire Conway serves as the Arizona STEM Ecosystem Programs Manager at SciTech Institute. In her role, she collaborates with STEM partners in industry, education, nonprofit, government, and community organizations across Arizona to develop regional STEM hubs that connect and align efforts in our local communities.
She also coordinates statewide working groups on the future STEM workforce and STEM programming in Arizona libraries. As a facilitator of the Arizona STEM Ecosystem, she is a connection point between students such as the Chief Science Officers, educators, out-of-school programs, workforce opportunities, and industry experts.
Claire holds a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Southern California, where she conducted research in biomaterials and nanomedicine and coordinated volunteer programming for the university. An Arizona native and lifelong STEM enthusiast, she is passionate about fostering a STEM community where ALL students are able to chase their passions and access the many
opportunities our state has to offer.
Connect with Claire on LinkedIn.
