After-School Science and Engineering Clubs are fantastic fun for students and rewarding for club leaders.

The After-School Science and Engineering Clubs (ASSECs) project was launched to inspire key stage 3 students (ages 11-14) to learn and enjoy science and engineering. The project is a pilot and started in March 2007 with 250 schools. Due to the project's success, it was expanded in September 2008 to a further 250 schools, taking the total number of schools participating in the project to 500. Each club is expected to have around 20 participants each year and so, with 500 clubs, the ASSECs project now reaches around 10,000 young people across the country. To explore some of what the clubs have been up to, browse our project database.

The pilot is being implemented by a consortium of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) partners led by STEMNET, including the ASE, the British Science Association, the Network of Science Learning Centres and the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust. Schools were chosen to take part in the pilot in collaboration with the DCSF who have supported the programme with funding.

As a result of the continued success of the ASSECs pilot, the DCSF announced in July 2009 that it has set aside £7-million to help fund the establishment of after-school STEM clubs in all secondary schools. The STEM Clubs Network, co-ordinated by STEMNET on behalf of the DCSF, will allow all schools and colleges in the country to be able to access the very latest in best practice information, professional advice and shared resources, much of which has been made available as a direct result of the ASSECs project. The STEM Clubs Network website, www.stemclubs.net, will be available to all schools from September 2009.

The overall aims of the ASSECs pilot is to set up clubs that enrich the Key Stage 3 STEM curriculum; to improve attainment in these subjects; to improve collaboration between departments, schools, industry and higher education; and to encourage pupils to continue their education in STEM beyond GCSE level. Schools are encouraged to design and develop the clubs in such a way that there is a significant positive benefit on the wider school community, whilst encouraging links with local industry and businesses. Club activities help demonstrate that science and engineering don’t just happen behind closed doors and that STEM subjects are central to tackling the challenges that the world faces today, such as climate change, energy security and disease."