STEM Activity: How to Start a STEM Club
STEM ActivitiesDate January 22, 2025
Est. Reading Time 3 mins
When was the last time you tried something new? Exploring a new topic or skill can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. Finding a club or organization that shares your interests makes learning more fun. You even can start your own!
When you start your own STEM club, you and your club members can work together on projects, experiment with new ideas, and make amazing discoveries about science, technology, engineering and math! With thoughtful collaboration, you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve together.
Materials Needed
- Construction paper
- Craft items (e.g., feathers, beads, stickers, etc.)
- Markers
- Notebook
- Pen and/or pencil
- Poster board (optional)
- Tape
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Find a notebook and your favorite pencil or pen.
- Brainstorm STEM topics that interest you and write your top three choices in your notebook. Here is a short list of potential topics to help you get started: marine research, artificial intelligence, electrical engineering.
- Ask yourself who else among your family and friends also might be curious about these topics. Invite them to join your club!
- Decide how often your STEM club will meet and where the meetings will take place. Ask your club members what days and times work best for them before recruiting an adult to help you plan the meeting location. Consider using a public space for your first meeting.
- Ask your club members to vote for the topic on your list they’d like to explore at your first club meeting. Then consider searching our blog, The Innovator’s Toolkit, for a STEM activity related to your theme. You also can do an online search with an adult or visit your local library to see what books or magazines feature your club’s focus. Have your notebook handy for writing down or sketching your ideas and discoveries!
- Create a unique name for your STEM club. For example, if your topic is marine research, your club’s name might be “The Wave Wonderers Club.”
- Design a poster for your STEM club using a poster board or construction paper, craft items and markers. At your first meeting, use tape to attach your poster to a wall, door, table or other flat surface to make your club feel official!
- Complete your first activity together! As you exchange ideas and create together you can discuss what your club might like to explore in the future. Write these ideas in your notebook and set the details for your next meeting. Don’t forget to take your poster with you – and thank your members for joining your STEM club!
What Are We Discovering?
Starting a club is a great opportunity to practice your leadership skills. By collaborating with others, you can combine your knowledge and experiences to strengthen your impact.
National Inventors Hall of Fame® Inductee Jokichi Takamine established the Nippon Club, a social club for Japanese Americans, in New York City in 1905. Today, the Nippon Club hosts athletic events, cultural activities and workshops. If membership to your club continues to grow, it can evolve into an established community that offers valuable experiences and a sense of belonging for its members.
Keep Collaborating
When you lead with curiosity and creativity, you’ll make your STEM club members feel involved and inspired. To find more ways to connect with STEM together, keep exploring our blog.