Advocacy and Action Plans: GPS Student Leaders Develop Real-World STEM Solutions
Advocacy and Action Plans: GPS Student Leaders Develop Real-World STEM Solutions
Tristan Chavez
On Monday, September 22, 2025, 58 students from 18 GPS schools gathered in the GPS Global Academy's multi-purpose room to begin their service as Chief Science Officers (CSOs). These students, 6th through 12th grade, attended a Leadership Training Institute (LTI) meeting to learn to advocate for the culture of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) in their community. The students also make up the largest single district delegation of CSOs in the United States.
The LTI is a foundational training that marks the beginning of the CSOs' term. During the training, students focus on developing essential program skills, building collaboration among their peers, and applying their leadership roles to STEM advocacy. The goal is for students to identify opportunities for growth and to create innovative solutions called Action Plans through collaboration with peers and STEM professionals that set them on a path to become STEM advocates
The training also focused on equipping students with the leadership and teamwork skills necessary to execute their Action Plans. Throughout the day, CSOs engaged in activities designed to promote collaboration and build camaraderie. They learned to identify their core leadership values, practiced effective communication, and developed strategies to set clear SMART goals for their upcoming projects. The training also emphasized that CSOs are critical and creative thinkers who use their voices to drive positive change in their schools.
The Future for CSOs: The Action Plan
Every Chief Science Officer is required to complete at least one Action Plan per year. This is a STEM-based project designed to solve a problem, enrich STEM culture, or address a need within the CSO’s school or community.
During the LTI, students worked on their Initial Action Plan Forms. These projects, which can be individual or group-based, will drive collaboration and utilize their voices as advocates for learners. Over the next few months, CSOs will finalize and implement projects focused on goals such as:
- Career Awareness: Bringing local engineers, scientists, and industry leaders into their schools to showcase STEM professions.
- Community Solutions: Partnering with local municipalities or businesses to tackle a community challenge identified by students.
- Pipeline Development: Creating stronger connections and shared activities between elementary, junior high, and high school STEM programs.
Some GPS schools are already working on pipeline development in additional projects. For example, earlier this school year, Mesquite High engineering students visited Oak Tree Elementary to help teach sixth graders about coding and engineering through a hands-on activity.
The 58 Chief Science Officers who attended the LTI are currently representing their schools to solve real-world problems in their communities using STEM education. Although many GPS schools focus on STEM education, the following schools participated in this year’s LTI:
| Boulder Creek Elementary | Canyon Rim Elementary | Carol Rae Ranch Elementary |
| Desert Ridge High | Desert Ridge Junior High | Finley Farms Elementary |
| Gilbert Classical Academy | Highland High | Highland Junior High |
| Highland Park Elementary | Meridian Elementary School | Mesquite Elementary |
| Neely Traditional Academy | Oak Tree Elementary | Pioneer Elementary |
| Quartz Hill Elementary | South Valley Junior High | Val Vista Lakes Elementary |
To learn more about education across GPS schools, visit GilbertSchools.net/Teaching-Learning.
