STEM Clubs: Making an impact 2016-17

STEM Clubs offer young people valuable opportunities to explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in an informal setting, allowing them to experiment, ask questions and tackle challenges that interest them. They provide students with opportunities to work in teams and participate in exciting competitions, to design solutions to real problems facing their schools or local communities, to get access to specialist equipment and to work with local STEM employers.

Research shows that being actively involved in a STEM Club can have a real impact on a young person’s interest and engagement in studying STEM subjects at school and beyond. It can also inspire young people to want to pursue a career in one of the STEM industries – opening their eyes to the breadth of career options available to them. STEM Learning exists to help teachers and others involved in STEM Clubs maximise these positive impacts through providing quality assured resources and support, from the formation of a STEM Club through to running advanced activities and events. Evaluation shows that teachers and others involved in STEM Clubs supported by STEM Learning also gain significant benefits. They improve their confidence to teach STEM subjects, deepen and increase their subject and pedagogical knowledge, expand their leadership opportunities and often reinvigorate their passion for teaching. They can forge crucial links with
employers and get exposure to cuttingedge developments in STEM.

In this report, we share four lessons that emerged from an evaluation of STEM Clubs activity so far. These demonstrate the impacts that Clubs have upon teachers, other Club leaders, schools and young people.