It’s no secret the SciTech Institute’s Chief Science Officers (CSO) program has grown to build an international presence and reputation. Now, a global leader in its own field is stepping forward to help increase that footprint in additional locations.
Phoenix-based Avnet, a leading technology distributor and solutions provider, is investing in the CSO program to support expansion in or near the company’s hubs in Guadalajara, Mexico, and Leeds, United Kingdom. Domestically, the areas include Chicago, Illinois, and Gaffney, South Carolina.
SciTech Institute is a nonprofit organization working to enhance and promote STEM awareness and engagement in Arizona and beyond. The CSO program has become a blueprint for communities across the world to grow their STEM ecosystems by empowering sixth- through 12th-grade students to be STEM ambassadors for their schools, the community and private industry.
The program currently consists of about 1,000 students — 600 in the U.S. and 400 internationally. In just seven years, the program has expanded to international chapters in Kenya, Kuwait and Mexico, along with 11 other U.S. states.
The partnership with Avnet underscores the powerful intersection between industry and STEM education. A pillar of the CSO program is to encourage students to pursue a career in science and technology while empowering them to use their STEM skills to make a positive difference in their world.
“The support of innovative companies like Avnet, along with the Arizona Technology Council Foundation and Arizona Commerce Authority, have helped make the CSO program a worldwide success,” says Jeremy Babendure, SciTech Institute’s executive director. “Most importantly, this expansion will empower more young adults to discover their passions, be science and tech ambassadors, and explore new STEM career opportunities.”
Working with Avnet in Arizona allows additional support of the CSO International Program expansion and a direct relationship with their team of STEM professionals and volunteers locally and globally.
“Through the program, CSOs are empowered to identify ways that they can help other students and their communities understand and appreciate science,” says Kelly Greene, SciTech Institute’s director of Student Success. “With the support from Avnet, we are able to reach new locations and focus on having the students grow the program in their regions. They don’t just give input. They literally run the programs they envision, gaining powerful leadership skills as they share their love of science.”
Activities in areas served by Avnet will include:
- Engagement in Leadership Training Institutes, cabinet meetings and program support in CSO international regions;
- Avnet employees sharing professional career pathways and mentorship;
- Specific experiences for girls in STEM; and
- Future partnerships for Germany, India, Serbia and Singapore.
Closer to home, SciTech Institute is getting support to expand experiential STEM opportunities to more than 25,000 students in Title 1 schools statewide with a $620,000 grant issued by the Arizona Department of Education through Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) set aside funds.
The goal for the grant is to increase proficiency for all students and close achievement gaps by engaging and empowering Arizona students to reach their full potential and providing opportunities for equitable academic outcomes so all students have access to multiple pathways to achieve lifelong success.
As part of COVID-19 federal relief packages passed by Congress in 2020 and 2021, ESSER funds are dedicated to statewide strategic projects and investments that support schools’ recovery needs and increase learning opportunities for students through 2024. Title I is a federal education program that supports low-income students throughout the nation.
SciTech Institute also is looking ahead to its signature annual event that gets families throughout the state excited about STEM (or STEAM, when the arts are included): the Arizona SciTech Festival.
The kickoff for planners is the Arizona STEM & Innovation Summit, which brings educators, community members and collaborators together to share resources, best practices, community involvement and hands-on activities. The Summit will be held 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 27 at Arizona Science Center, 600 E. Washington St., Phoenix.
The festival itself will be held in February and March 2023. For more information, visit https://scitechinstitute.org/arizona-scitech-festival/.
