Science clubs

The benefits

The benefits of running a science club

Research shows that 'Out of School Hours Learning' (often known as OSHL, OSL or OOSHL) or 'Study Support' is widely recognised to lead to improvements in school performance. This can manifest as improved motivation and a positive impact on attitudes. In addition, in one study in Northern Ireland 84% of post-primary principals said that it contributed to raised attainment.

There are benefits for:

Pupils

• Practice at the process skills needed in science.
• Increased opportunity to develop and practice thinking, speaking and listening skills.
• Opportunities to experience a wider range of science topics, hence broadening their enthusiasm for science.

Normally in science club, we're allowed to do more things than we're allowed to do in normal classes.

...

Normally in science class, we write in books and stay at your table. In science club, we'll get up and discuss with people from other table and we do more experiments than normal science class.

Teachers and Teaching Assistants

• To learn about new topics and try out new ideas, in a less pressured environment.

The school

• To celebrate science.
• Raising the profile of science within the school.
• A positive change in attitude to science lessons.

Jeannine from Joseph Lancaster

We found that the children were very enthusiastic to become members and there are various ground rules that entitle them to come. They want to be here. It's hands-on so the children are very motivated. But from our point of view, it's helping them to think about working together in groups. We are also trying to promote the idea of boys working with girls and that is a major hurdle which the science club is encouraging. Generally speaking, they enjoy the less formal atmosphere of a science club to perhaps the more formal larger group organisation of a class.