STEM Clubs

If you have an idea for a project but you want to add an extra dimension for your club members, ask yourself this question: "who else would be interested in this?"

What's your specialism?

80% of all secondary schools in England have at least one specialism. Other schools might have a lead department, or a track record in a particular area. Here are some ideas how a STEM club might collaborate with other areas of the school:

• Performing Arts: developing special lighting, sound or make-up effects is a great project for a STEM club and could contribute to a school performace. Click here for inspiration from Friesland School.

• Business & Enterprise: the process of product lifecycle management has a strong basis in STEM and you could even end up earning your club a few quid. Click here for inspiration from Coloma Convent Girls' School

• Humanities: from recreating key moments in the history of science, to locating and designing new flood defences, STEM and the humanities have a lot to offer each other. Click here for inspiration from Gleed Boy's School.

• Languages: what are the problems with inputing a language like Mandarin Chinese into a computer? Or how about a trip abroad? Click here for inspiration from Tanfield School Specialist College of Science and Engineering.

• Sport: nutrition, biomechanics, materials, equipment engineering, timing... the links between sport and STEM are vast. Also, look out for opportunities in the run up to the 2012 Olympics. Click here for inspiration from Freebrough Specialist Engineering College.

Linking up with other schools

• Why? You can access more staff, more space, more equipment and even possibly more funding. Click here for inspiration from a collaboration between Hanham High School and Mangotsfield School.

• Organising joint events (such as science fairs or competitions), arranging to share equipment, holding joint planning sessions - they can all contribute to making your STEM club more effective.

• Exploit existing school partnerships or use the find a STEM club feature to find a club near you. Ask your local STEMPOINT contract holder for leads.

Linking up with the wider community

• Use the suppliers and services database to link up with people whose job it is to bring real-world STEM into schools.

• Find out about regional and national festivals and fairs that your club could participate in.

• For ideas about engaging with local businesses that could contribute to your project plans, ask your STEMPOINT contract holder.

Next - Frequently asked questions >>

<< Previous article