Get set!
Have a STEM Club ethos
It's good to bear in mind why a STEM club is important for your school and your students. It will also give you something to say when you are persuading other people to get involved!
Bring together a STEM club leader team
People with STEM knowledge and expertise are important, and technical support is absolutely necessary. However, the vital ingredient for a succesful STEM club leader team is enthusiasm. Great STEM club leaders could be found anywhere in your school so try asking around both the teaching and non-teaching staff for volunteers.
Decide on your club membership
Opening up STEM club membership to all students will increase the number of students who will benefit from it. However, restricting it in some way may improve the quality of the experience for individual club members. Decide on a balance that best suits you, your team, your students and your school setting.
Timing
After school might be the perfect time for your STEM club, but it's wise to be aware of other clubs that also happen after school that could compete with you for members. If staying after school is difficult for your students you might need to plan ways of getting club members home safely or consider a different time slot.
Activity ideas
Use great activities to attract people to the club and keep them there once they've joined. Themes and projects can help focus and inspire your STEM club, as can competitions. The members and leaders of a successful STEM club will be full of ideas, so think about how you could effectively consult with them.
Location, location, location
The location for your STEM club meetings may well be dictated by your choice of activity, but moving out of the lab or workshop can do wonders for your club's profile. It can also make an activity truly memorable for your club members. Trips and visits are great for adding a real-world dimension to STEM.
Funding
Successful STEM clubs can be run on a minimal budget. If your ambitions require financial assistance, make sure you start out with activities that raise you club's profile. This will help when approaching the school or an external organisation for funds.
It's good to bear in mind why a STEM club is important for your school and your students. It will also give you something to say when you are persuading other people to get involved!
Bring together a STEM club leader team
People with STEM knowledge and expertise are important, and technical support is absolutely necessary. However, the vital ingredient for a succesful STEM club leader team is enthusiasm. Great STEM club leaders could be found anywhere in your school so try asking around both the teaching and non-teaching staff for volunteers.
Decide on your club membership
Opening up STEM club membership to all students will increase the number of students who will benefit from it. However, restricting it in some way may improve the quality of the experience for individual club members. Decide on a balance that best suits you, your team, your students and your school setting.
Timing
After school might be the perfect time for your STEM club, but it's wise to be aware of other clubs that also happen after school that could compete with you for members. If staying after school is difficult for your students you might need to plan ways of getting club members home safely or consider a different time slot.
Activity ideas
Use great activities to attract people to the club and keep them there once they've joined. Themes and projects can help focus and inspire your STEM club, as can competitions. The members and leaders of a successful STEM club will be full of ideas, so think about how you could effectively consult with them.
Location, location, location
The location for your STEM club meetings may well be dictated by your choice of activity, but moving out of the lab or workshop can do wonders for your club's profile. It can also make an activity truly memorable for your club members. Trips and visits are great for adding a real-world dimension to STEM.
Funding
Successful STEM clubs can be run on a minimal budget. If your ambitions require financial assistance, make sure you start out with activities that raise you club's profile. This will help when approaching the school or an external organisation for funds.
