Carbondale Area 8th grade students Alexis Borosky, Colt Calabro, Rahi Patel, and Claire Serkosky recently wrapped up their inaugural year participating in the Chief Science Officer (CSO) Program, an international initiative supported locally by NEIU 19. The CSO Program empowers students by giving them leadership roles in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), encouraging collaboration, innovation, and student voice.
The students kicked off their journey by attending a two-day leadership training conference in fall 2024 at Wilkes-Barre Area High School. There, they worked alongside fellow CSOs from Luzerne County, building connections and developing plans to strengthen the STEM culture in their own school community.
Throughout the school year, the Carbondale Area CSOs remained actively engaged in a variety of STEM-related events, including the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS), the Science and Technology Club, and the NEPA Girls in STEM Competition.
The year concluded with a celebration at Lackawanna State Park, where students reflected on their experiences through a group presentation. Following the presentation, the CSOs participated in hands-on environmental science activities, including water quality testing and macroorganism identification in the lake. The event wrapped up with some well-deserved fishing and fun.
The CSOs are excited to continue growing as STEM leaders in the upcoming school year.
See pictures below.
