Science and STEM Clubs
Off the shelf resources for running extra-curricular clubs for children, with Children's University accreditation available
Aimed at teachers or other adults looking for support to introduce a science or STEM club to primary aged children, PSTT has created a number of free to download, easily-accessible club packs.
Each pack provides:
- an overview of how to run the sessions and list of all the resources required (simple, everyday materials) for 8 sessions.
- an activity sheet for each of the 8 sessions, giving the session leader guidance on organising the activities, which will include a practical challenge for the children, key facts/science and ideas for questions and further activities.
Some packs also contain a fact sheet for children to take home to encourage them to share findings with their families and take their learning further.
All activities are validated by the Children’s University and as such count towards accredited learning for any children taking part.
Created by PSTT College Fellow and Regional Mentor Kate Redhead, the Engineering Our World club introduces 8 famous scientists, engineers and artists as a springboard for group-based engineering challenges.
The Earth Explorers club, created by Kathryn Grahame, aims to develop environmental awareness through activities and is suitable for children aged 5-7.
A Challenge Chasers club, created by Janet Morris, provides 8 science activities presented as challenges to solve for children aged 7-11.
The Sensory Sparks club, created by PSTT College Fellow and SEN specialist teacher Julie Neil, provides activities aimed specifically towards children with special needs.
You may also be interested in our Science Clubs CPD Unit which can be accessed here.
PSTT has plans to launch additional club packs in the near future - keep an eye on our social media feeds for launch news.
Engineering Our World
Engineering Our World resources could be an early step towards addressing the inequalities that currently exist in those who partipate in science post-16 and those who do not. You can read more about the benefits of introducing scientists' work (historical and contemporary) in the primary curriculum with regard to science capital and social justice in an article published in Science Teacher Education* (2020) - Introducing scientists to primary children: Does this always enhance children's science capital?
*We are grateful to the Association of Science Education (ASE) for making this article open access.
Isambard Kingdom Brunel
Activity sheet - to construct a boat that will carry an object without sinking
Mary Sherman Morgan
Activity sheet - to construct a balloon rocket that will travel along a string for at least a metre
Rube Goldberg
Activity sheet - to use a mechanical chain reaction to make a ball roll into a basket
Earth Explorers
Bursting with life Fact Sheet
Children's fact sheet on the importance of biodiversity for life on the Earth
Buzzing Around Fact Sheet
Children's fact sheet on the importance of insects as pollinators
Exploring the oceans Fact Sheet
Children's fact sheet on the importance of life in the oceans
Going under ground Fact Sheet
Children's fact sheet on the importance of worms for healthy soils
Challenge Chasers
Use water absorption to open a paper flower.
Sensory Sparks (SEN)
Booming Balloons
SEN focus: gross motor sills, anticipation, responding to sound and movement
Catch the Worms
SEN focus: fine motor skills development, cause and effect, observing results
Nature's perfume
SEN focus: sensory exploration of small, showing pleasure/displeasure from a range of herbs
'Pop' goes the rocket to the Moon!
SEN focus: sequencing, following instructions, anticipation, responding to sound and movement
Stretchy socks
SEN focus: simple observation skills, ordering size, introduction to measure, making predictions comparative testing
Safety Notice and Disclaimer
The PSTT advises teachers to refer to either the CLEAPSS website or SSERC website for up to date health and safety information when planning practical activities for children.
The PSTT is not liable for the actions or activities of any reader or anyone else who uses the information in these resource pages or the associated classroom materials. The PSTT assumes no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information contained in these resources. The PSTT recommends that a full risk assessment is carried out before undertaking in the classroom any of the practical investigations contained in the resources.
All materials are ©Primary Science Teaching Trust (PSTT) and are freely available to download and share for educational purposes. Whilst educators are free to adapt the resources to suit their own needs, acknowledgement of copyright on all original materials must be included. Rights to images included in the resource have been purchased for PSTT use only – as such, these images may only be used as part of this resource and may not copied into or used in other materials.