If you’ve ever thought, “Ugh, I’d love to do this fun activity in class, but we just don’t have the time. And I know the students would love it,” then congratulations—you’re a real teacher. Between state testing, strict unit pacing guides, covering all the standards, and those days when even getting kids to write their name on their paper is a struggle, actually doing fun science can feel impossible.
Enter: Science Club! For either middle or high school students, science club is a great opportunity to promote geeking out over science fun in a no-pressure setting. Whether you’re making dark slime, launching a balloon rocket, or investigating chemical reactions, science club allows kids to get hands-on, practical experience with scientific concepts that they might not have time for in class. And let’s be real, it’s also a chance for you to do all the exciting activities that make science great.
So, how do you start one? What do you actually do in a school science club? And how can you get students involved? Let’s break down all of the best school science club ideas here.
When I was in middle and high school, there were lots of popular clubs. In middle school, joining a club was a great way to meet new friends, get to know other teachers, and just have something fun to look forward to after school. In high school, while some clubs seemed fun, they were mostly checking the box for an extracurricular activity to list on college applications. No matter the reason for joining a club, students are voluntarily signing themselves up to learn! So let’s take advantage of that opportunity and make science club GREAT!
A school science club is any program where students explore science beyond the curriculum outside of the classroom. It’s a great place for experiments, getting messy, having open discussions, and doing projects that help develop critical thinking, social skills, and communication skills—all while having a blast. Some clubs focus on competitions while others are just for the love of science. You get to decide!
Starting a school science club doesn’t have to be as complicated as extracting DNA (though I do have an easy science experiment on extracting strawberry DNA that you should totally try— Check it out here!).
Talk to your administration about starting the club. You’ll need a meeting space, permission slips, a proposal, and possibly another staff or parent support person.
If you’re just looking for a no-pressure way to help your students enjoy science, advertise yourself simply as a “Science Club.” But if your science club is full of competitive students who love a challenge, you may want to consider Science Olympiad. This nationwide STEM competition lets middle and high school students compete in events ranging from engineering challenges (like building a Rube Goldberg machine) to hands-on lab work (like chemistry experiments) and knowledge-based tests (like biology and astronomy). It’s like a science club on steroids—a great way for students to develop critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving skills while having fun and building relationships. Plus, it’s an exciting activity that can boost interest in higher education and STEM careers! For more information on Science Olympiad, click here.
Put up flyers, send emails, and make announcements. If you know of a few students who are already interested, ask them to join you for lunch or study hall to create some posters to hang around the school. Get students excited by promising the types of practical activities you might do this year. Ones that typically make students excited include making lava lamps, studying marine biology animals, or playing with jumping beans. You know what makes your students excited!
Decide how often you’ll meet. Weekly? Biweekly? The key is consistency. Note that if you won’t be meeting in your classroom, you may have to reserve a different space. Don’t worry if the “after-school” component is intimidating, you can also offer club time during lunch periods!
Set a budget for supplies and ask administration how much they can cover. Then look into grants, ask local businesses for donations, and see if you can use school lab supplies. If you’re a middle school teacher, you may want to look into partnering with an existing high school science club for mentorship opportunities.
Most middle schoolers and high schoolers will do just about anything for free snacks, so offer that at your initial meeting to gain some interest. Perhaps making ice cream?! Then to really get them to commit, ask that all science teachers in your building tell their science classes that the club will be:
So, you’ve gotten all the school science club ideas you’ll need to get started. Now, what are you going to do during your meetings? You do NOT have to have the entire year of meetings planned in advance. It’s okay to plan as you go! Your time together should be a balance of science fun alongside structure. A simple format could look like this:
I have created lots of activities in my shop that I think would be perfect for you to try in your Science Club! They appeal to a wide range of ages and are simple enough for any first time science club leader.
Want to take your school science club to the next level? Here’s how to extend your reach:
I hope these school science club ideas gave you some encouragement! Starting a school science club doesn’t have to be lots of work, and it’s also one of the most rewarding and exciting things you can do as a science teacher if you have the time. It’s a great place for students to build important skills, explore scientific concepts in deeper ways, and just have some fun with learning. So grab your lab coats, send out that initial email, and get ready for an awesomely amazing science club experience.
Happy experimenting!
