Meet the Chief Science Officers: High School STEM Leaders Shaping the Future

Meet the Chief Science Officers: High School STEM Leaders Shaping the Future

On this episode of Go! For Launch, hosts Audrey and MacKenzie are joined by two extraordinary high school leaders, Sophia and Michelle, who serve as Chief Science Officers through SciTech Institute’s international CSO program. From organizing STEM fairs to meeting with elected officials, these student changemakers are redefining what youth leadership looks like—and showing how young people can spark real impact in their communities. Sophia and Michelle share how they each found their way into STEM, what it means to be a Chief Science Officer, and why creating action plans has transformed their perspective on leadership, communication, and possibility. Whether they’re designing healthcare innovations or presenting at national conferences, these two are walking proof that curiosity, initiative, and collaboration can unlock powerful opportunities—at any age. You’ll also hear how the CSO program prepares students to lead, travel, and advocate for issues that matter, and how Sophia and Michelle are already thinking ahead to futures in biomedical research, AI, and regenerative medicine. If you’re a student (or know one) who’s looking to lead with purpose, this is the episode to press play on. In this episode, you’ll learn: 1. What the Chief Science Officers program is—and how to get involved 2. How action plans help students build real-world leadership and technical skills 3. The power of student voice in shaping schools, policy, and community engagement 4. Why exposure to conferences, travel, and networking is critical for young scientists 5. What regenerative medicine and AI in healthcare could mean for the future Timestamps: 00:00:34 – Meet Sophia and Michelle: future biomedical innovators 00:01:29 – What a Chief Science Officer is—and what they do 00:03:10 – How they each discovered STEM and the CSO program 00:05:45 – How to start a CSO chapter at your school 00:08:11 – What is an “action plan” and why it matters 00:10:11 – Favorite projects and building momentum across schools 00:12:19 – Real-world lessons in leadership and professional growth 00:14:38 – From Florida to Chicago to D.C.: learning to lead on the road 00:16:05 – Talking with elected officials and advocating for STEM 00:17:40 – Reflections on growth and community impact 00:20:19 – Opportunities that emerged because of the CSO program 00:22:35 – Advice for students who want to lead and make a difference 00:25:32 – What’s next: colleges, careers, and continuing the mission 00:31:07 – What excites them most about biotech and healthcare 00:34:17 – Curiosities that keep them up at night—from environmental justice to unknowable science Helpful Links: • SciTech Institute’s Chief Science Officers Program – https://scitechinstitute.org/chief-science-officers/ • National STEM Ecosystems – https://stemecosystems.org/ • MIT InvenTeams – https://lemelson.mit.edu/inventeams Follow Accelerator Media: https://x.com/xceleratormedia https://instagram.com/xcelerator.media/ https://linkedin.com/company/accelerator-media-org ⸻ This podcast is produced by volunteers at Accelerator Media, a nonprofit educational media organization. Our work is supported by listeners and viewers like you. If you’d like to help us ignite curiosity and inspire long-term thinking about our shared future, please consider volunteering with us or making a donation: https://acceleratormedia.org/donate/

From NASA to the Senate: Bridging Science and Policy with Natasha Dacic

On this episode of Go! For Launch, science policy fellow Dr. Natasha Dacic joins hosts Audrey and MacKenzie for a compelling look at how scientific research intersects with government decision-making—and how young scientists can help shape the future. Dr. Dacic shares her journey from a small liberal arts college in Idaho to earning a PhD in environmental science at the University of Michigan, with research stops at NASA and fieldwork deep in the Idaho wilderness along the way. Now serving as a science and technology policy fellow through the AAAS on Capitol Hill, she offers an inside view of how science informs legislation—and why it often doesn’t. Together, they explore the difference between fellowships and internships, how to communicate science to policymakers, and what it was like to help pass her first piece of legislation recognizing World Migratory Bird Day. This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about using science for public good, bridging policy and research, or just wondering how to make an impact without having it all figured out at once. In this episode, you’ll learn: 1. What a science and technology policy fellowship actually is—and what fellows do on Capitol Hill 2. How Natasha navigated an unconventional path from physics and fieldwork to policy and politics 3. Why science often doesn’t drive policy, and how that can (and should) change 4. Practical advice for students and early-career scientists who want to make a difference 5. What it takes to pass a bipartisan piece of legislation—about birds Timestamps: 00:00:34 – Natasha’s background and introduction to the AAAS fellowship 00:02:09 – Her journey from Idaho to NASA and the University of Michigan 00:08:21 – Discovering the NASA Student Airborne Research Program 00:14:25 – What drew her to science policy: environmental philosophy and beyond 00:16:35 – What science policy really means—and why it’s not all about data 00:20:39 – Why relationships, politics, and timing shape legislation more than science alone 00:26:41 – The role of science communication in influencing policy 00:29:21 – Internships vs. fellowships: what’s the difference? 00:34:17 – Natasha’s two NASA internships and how she landed them 00:36:46 – What it’s really like working in the Senate as a science fellow 00:41:00 – How she helped pass legislation for World Migratory Bird Day 00:46:51 – What’s next after the fellowship—and why it’s a tough time for science jobs 00:48:55 – Advice for young people wanting to use science to change the world 00:54:43 – Do phone calls to Congress matter? (Yes!) 00:55:08 – Natasha’s final reflections and what she’s most curious about today Helpful Links: • AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowships – https://aaas.org/programs/science-technology-policy-fellowships • NASA Student Airborne Research Program – https://science.nasa.gov/earth-science/early-career-opportunities/student-airborne-research-program/ • U.S. Congressional Research Service – https://usa.gov/agencies/congressional-research-service • World Migratory Bird Day – https://migratorybirdday.org/ Follow Accelerator Media: https://x.com/xceleratormediahttps://instagram.com/xcelerator.media/ https://linkedin.com/company/accelerator-media-org This podcast is produced by volunteers at Accelerator Media, a nonprofit educational media organization. Our work is supported by listeners and viewers like you. If you’d like to help us ignite curiosity and inspire long-term thinking about our shared future, please consider volunteering with us or making a donation: https://acceleratormedia.org/donate/

How a Kid from Egypt Ended Up Exploring Mars, Comets, and the Kuiper Belt — Ep 15 Dr Ramy Elmaarry

On this episode of Go! For Launch, planetary scientist Dr. Mohamed Ramy El-Maarry joins hosts Audrey and MacKenzie to share his incredible journey—from growing up in Egypt dreaming about space and dinosaurs, to working on missions for ESA, NASA, and the UAE Space Agency. Now an associate professor at Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi, Dr. El-Maarry is helping lead planetary science education and exploration across the Middle East. He walks us through his winding path into planetary geology, the serendipity of working on comet 67P with ESA’s Rosetta mission, and the experience of joining NASA’s New Horizons flyby of Arrokoth—one of the most distant objects ever visited. Along the way, we explore the UAE’s ambitious plans for Mars, the Moon, and asteroid missions, and how global collaboration is fueling the next chapter of space science. This episode is a must-listen for aspiring planetary scientists, space enthusiasts, and anyone wondering how curiosity and courage can shape a world-class career—even when you start far from the world’s biggest space agencies. — In this episode, you’ll learn: 1. How Dr. El-Maarry’s passion for both space and geology led him to planetary science 2. What it’s like to work on missions to Mars, comets, and the Kuiper Belt 3. The UAE’s vision for space exploration and science education 4. Why international collaboration is vital to advancing space technology 5. How an asteroid came to be named after Dr. El-Maarry—and why it matters — Timestamps: 00:00:34 – Dr. El-Maarry’s early life and educational path 00:05:24 – Discovering planetary geology and defying expectations in Egypt 00:12:07 – Working with NASA and ESA on Mars missions 00:18:14 – Falling in love with comets through ESA’s Rosetta mission 00:25:14 – From Mars to comets: expanding a research focus to icy worlds 00:30:03 – Joining NASA’s New Horizons mission to Arrokoth 00:36:43 – The challenge of reaching Uranus and Neptune 00:37:29 – The UAE’s space exploration program: Hope mission, lunar plans, and asteroid tour 00:45:12 – The role of international collaboration in space research 00:48:23 – Space exploration as a catalyst for education and technology 00:54:11 – Why planetary science constantly evolves—and why that’s exciting 00:57:15 – Tangible innovations born from space research 00:57:46 – How an asteroid got Dr. El-Maarry’s name 01:01:55 – What Dr. El-Maarry is most curious about today: solar system formation and exoplanets — Helpful Links: • Dr. Mohamed Ramy El-Maarry – Khalifa University profile https://ku.ac.ae/college-people/mohamed-ramy-el-maarry • Rosetta Mission Overview – ESA https://esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Rosetta_overview • New Horizons and Arrokoth – NASA https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/kuiper-belt/arrokoth-2014-mu69/ • Emirates Mars Mission – Hope Probe https://emiratesmarsmission.ae/ Follow Accelerator Media: https://x.com/xceleratormedia https://instagram.com/xcelerator.media/ https://linkedin.com/company/accelerator-media-org — This podcast is produced by volunteers at Accelerator Media, a nonprofit educational media organization. Our work is supported by listeners and viewers like you. If you’d like to help us ignite curiosity and inspire long-term thinking about our shared future, please consider volunteering with us or making a donation: https://acceleratormedia.org/donate/

Biomimicry, Whales, Velcro, and the Power of Science Stories with Patrick Aryee | G4L Ep 14

On this episode of Go! For Launch, wildlife presenter and author Patrick Aryee joins host Audrey Odwuor to explore how nature fuels innovation—from Velcro to bullet trains—and how science communicators can drive real-world impact. Patrick shares captivating stories from the wild, actionable advice for STEM content creators and science communicators, and how biomimicry is helping solve some of today’s most urgent challenges. He traces his journey from studying cancer biology to working with the BBC Natural History Unit and presenting award-winning wildlife series. Along the way, he unpacks the incredible potential of biomimicry—revealing how animal adaptations have inspired technologies that improve our daily lives.From the dexterity of elephant trunks to a breathtaking encounter with a sperm whale, this episode is packed with insight and inspiration. Patrick also offers bold, practical guidance for aspiring science communicators—blending marketing psychology, storytelling frameworks, and content strategy to help science reach farther and resonate deeper. In this episode, you’ll learn: 1. How nature’s innovations have inspired breakthrough technologies 2. Patrick’s path from molecular biology to global science storytelling 3. Why first-principles thinking can transform how we solve problems 4. The power of marketing and psychology in science communication 5. What it’s like to swim alongside a sperm whale Timestamps: 00:01:33 – Patrick’s early spark for science: Tomorrow’s World and Star Trek 00:04:03 – Extracting DNA from an onion: the eureka moment that changed everything 00:06:54 – Choosing wildlife communication over lab work 00:10:30 – What is biomimicry and why does it matter? 00:12:01 – The story behind Velcro and how animals inspired it 00:14:02 – Patrick’s message for young readers of 30 Animals That Made Us Smarter 00:17:02 – How to start looking to nature for solutions 00:21:51 – Communicating science across divides—without shame or judgment 00:27:22 – The power of understanding audience motivation 00:30:01 – Why science communicators should study marketing 00:31:14 – Copywriting frameworks that can improve your messaging 00:33:07 – Advice for building a personal brand and online presence 00:36:03 – Helping others through digital products and STEM entrepreneurship 00:39:29 – Tools for discovering what people are already curious about 00:42:05 – Biomimicry in action: elephants, robots, and problem-solving 00:48:18 – Close encounter with a sperm whale: a profound, life-changing moment 00:54:02 – Patrick’s deep curiosity: ancient texts, words, and the nature of reality Helpful Links: • Patrick Aryee’s website: https://patrickaryee.com/ • 30 Animals That Made Us Smarter: https://amazon.com/Animals-That-Made-Smarter-Ingenuity/dp/1642832677 • Patrick on Instagram: https://instagram.com/patrick_aryee • Think Media podcast: https://www.youtube.com/c/ThinkMediaPodcast • AnswerThePublic: https://answerthepublic.com/ • AlsoAsked: https://alsoasked.com • Ahrefs keyword tool: https://ahrefs.com Follow Accelerator Media: https://x.com/xceleratormedia https://instagram.com/xcelerator.media/ https://linkedin.com/company/accelerator-media-org ⸻ This podcast is produced by volunteers at Accelerator Media, a nonprofit educational media organization. Our work is supported by listeners and viewers like you. If you’d like to help us ignite curiosity and inspire long-term thinking about our shared future, please consider volunteering with us or making a donation: https://acceleratormedia.org/donate/

MIT’s Open Secret: Learn STEM, No Tuition Required | MIT OpenCourseWare

This podcast is produced by volunteers at Accelerator Media, a nonprofit educational media organization. Our work is supported by listeners and viewers like you. If you’d like to help us ignite curiosity and inspire long-term thinking about our shared future, please consider volunteering with us or making a donation: https://acceleratormedia.org/donate/ In this episode of Go! For Launch, Audrey Odwuor speaks with Sarah Hansen and Curt Newton from MIT OpenCourseWare (OCW)—a pioneering initiative that’s been making world-class MIT course materials freely available online for over two decades. Curt, OCW’s director, and Sarah, who leads open education innovation and hosts the Chalk Radio podcast, share the origin story of the program and its global impact on learners, educators, and institutions. They dive into what makes OCW unique, how it empowers self-directed learners, and why openly licensed education has never been more important in a changing world.From inspiring career pivots to new frontiers in AI-driven translation and open pedagogy, this episode explores how access to knowledge can truly transform lives—and how you can start learning today, for free. In this episode, you’ll learn: 1. How MIT OpenCourseWare became a global leader in open education 2. What makes OCW different from other online education platforms 3. How learners around the world are using OCW to launch new careers 4. Why openness, cultural relevance, and adaptability matter in education 5. How AI and translation tools are expanding OCW’s global reach Timestamps: 00:01:33 – What is MIT OpenCourseWare and who is it for? 00:04:44 – MIT’s bold decision in 2000 to give its course materials away for free 00:06:48 – Building a global movement for open education 00:08:03 – How educators adapt OCW to fit local cultures and communities 00:10:16 – Favorite STEM courses and how they help new learners 00:12:01 – Why “How to Speak” is OCW’s most-watched video 00:14:11 – OCW’s global impact and the power of AI-driven translation 00:17:12 – A Ukrainian initiative using AI to translate OCW into native language 00:19:00 – How an artist used OCW to pivot into a career in finance 00:20:42 – Learners in Uganda, Sudan, and beyond share their stories 00:23:00 – The case for lifelong learning: “K to gray” education 00:25:24 – Sarah and Curt share their nontraditional paths to MIT 00:29:13 – How AI might shape the future of self-directed learning 00:32:18 – Where to begin with OCW and how to find your learning path 00:33:32 – “OpenCourseWare is like the Grand Canyon—choose your own adventure” 00:34:52 – What Sarah and Curt are deeply curious about 00:37:32 – The human side of MIT and the heart behind open learning Helpful Links: MIT OpenCourseWare: https://ocw.mit.edu Chalk Radio podcast: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUl4u3cNGP63YwKIMA9K08FFvdeBEl6Lo&si=W7vozMfP1TxRF84j Social and Ethical Responsibilities of Computing: https://computing.mit.edu/cross-cutting/social-and-ethical-responsibilities-of-computing/ MIT MicroMasters Programs: https://micromasters.mit.edu Follow Accelerator Media: https://x.com/xceleratormedia https://instagram.com/xcelerator.media/ https://linkedin.com/company/accelerator-media-org