Top School Trips -Issue 7

S tarting your own exploration and discovery club is a fantastic way to boost children’s enjoyment of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and help them develop new skills in a real-world context. The idea is to offer an alternative to traditional STEM clubs, showing that science is much more than what’s taught in the classroom. At the Science Museum Group (SMG), we encourage discovery through active participation and social interaction on school trips and in clubs back at school, an approach grounded in years of research. So here are our top tips for taking a similar approach with your pupils… 1. The joy of discovery Science is a creative and imaginative endeavour; it’s a way of thinking, asking questions and observing the world around us. By focusing on key skills such as problem-solving, teamwork and communication, you can inspire children to follow their curiosity and discover science on their own terms. 2. Beyond experiments Experiments are exciting, but they can be time-consuming and may require a lot of equipment. Club activities are only limited by your imagination – try craft projects, games or digital experiences that promote science skills, or explore STEM content by creating a magazine, planning an event, or running a science-themed film or book club. Why not invite people in from your community who have interesting hobbies or jobs? You could also consider going on exploratory visits in your local area. 3. Choose a theme Plan your activities around a theme to help your club feel different to a formal lesson. Run team-based projects or competitions that last several weeks, or research a specific problem that is relevant to your group. Why not get your members involved in generating ideas to give them more ownership of the experience? You never know what ideas they might come up with! 4. Measuring success What do you want your group to gain from the experience? Are there specific outcomes you hope to achieve? From developing interpersonal skills to growing confidence in STEM subjects, think about what success looks like for you and your group. There are many ways to demonstrate achievements. Ask the group to capture experiences with pictures or get creative with feedback, using ideas like pebble voting at the start and end of your club. 5. Don’t fear failure Curiosity is at the heart of science, so if you don’t know the answer to something, use that as an opportunity to find out more as a group. If something goes wrong, use your club’s scientific skills to work out why and have another go. Make sure you have spare supplies, and always do a risk assessment for your activities. 6. Recruit creatively Who do you want to attend your club? Will it be open to anyone, or do you want to target those who may not be as confident with science? Help everyone feel welcome by advertising your club in places where you know your target audience will be looking. Remember to focus on the experiences they will have rather than any subject content. 7. Celebrate your work Showcase your club’s opportunities and achievements by celebrating your work. Plan a taster event or exhibition, inviting friends, families and local supporters to get involved. Take and share plenty of pictures or write a feature for a school newsletter to raise the club’s profile. Sharing successes can also boost recruitment and attract funding or staffing support. 8. Enjoy yourself! If you’re making the time to run the club, it should be something you enjoy. Your passion and enthusiasm will ensure your group have positive experiences, so join in with the activities and enjoy discovering STEM with them. Sparking CURIOSITY Andy Lickley is Academy Programme Leader at the Science Museum Group. The SMG Academy hosts fully funded training courses for primary school teachers in London, Manchester, York, and online. With refreshments and resources provided, it’s the ideal development opportunity for you and your department. F EATURE S S T EM Looking for ways to engage your learners in STEM? Andy Lickley from the Science MuseumGroup shares his tips for running an exploration and discovery club… www.teachwire.net/school-trips | 37