# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
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 Sensory Sparks club, created by PSTT College Fellow and SEN specialist teacher Julie Neil, provides activities aimed specifically towards children with special needs.

A Challenge Chasers club, created by Janet Morris, provides 8 science activities presented as challenges to solve for children aged 7-11.

The Earth Explorers club, created by Kathryn Grahame, aims to develop environmental awareness through activities and is suitable for children aged 5-7.

PSTT has plans to launch additional club packs in the near future - keep an eye on our social media feeds for launch news.

You may also be interested in our Science Clubs CPD Unit which can be accessed here.

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.

Blooming! Activity Sheet

Use water absorption to open a paper flower.

Egg Drop! Activity Sheet

Protect an egg that is dropped in the hen house.

Safety Notice and Disclaimer

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.

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. 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. 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.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
science club
stem club
real world science
famous scientists

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Science & STEM Clubs | Primary Science Teaching Trust

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
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.

# data[].attributes.body
Connecticut Science Center

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
STEM Challenge - Connecticut Science Center

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Toggle navigation Connecticut Science Center

# data[].attributes.body
Volt, paper, scissors

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Volt, Paper, Scissors! Simple Electronics for STEM Education

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
About

Volt, Paper, Scissors! is all about robotics, games, gadgets, and other fun stuff made from paper circuits and simple electronics. It is a growing collection of Open Educational Ressources for STEM education to explore technology together with kids. All my projects (also future ones!) can be created by just using paper and this list of inexpensive electronic components.

Every project comes with print-ready templates and detailed video instructions. There are no special tools required and the electronic components can be ordered in small or large quantities. That makes all my projects perfect for STEM education, even if you do not have a makerspace!

I will try to add a new project every 4-6 weeks. To get updates, follow me on YouTube or Pinterest. I am not selling any electronics. If you want to support my work you can do so via Patreon or Paypal.

All content on this website is free to download and use, under the license CC BY-SA 4.0.

If you have any questions, e-mail me!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Volt, Paper, Scissors! Simple Electronics for STEM Education

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Volt, Paper, Scissors! is all about robotics, games, gadgets, and other fun stuff made from paper circuits and simple electronics. It is a growing collection of Open Educational Ressources for STEM education to explore technology together with kids. All my projects (also future ones!)

# data[].attributes.body
Lifton Primary School

# data[].attributes.body
Engineering challenges

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
You know what's awesome? Good engineering challenges, especially things like chain reactions and opportunities to build with simple materials! Everyone knows about building basic domino chains, but we've been working...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
You searched for engineering challenges - Frugal Fun For Boys and Girls

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
You know what's awesome? Good engineering challenges, especially things like chain reactions and opportunities to build with simple materials! Everyone knows about building basic domino chains, but we've been working...

# data[].attributes.body
Science fair ideas

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Here at Science Sparks we LOVE a good but appreciate that not everyone feels the same way, so here are a few amazing ( and easy ) science fair project ideas to give you some inspiration.

Science Fair Top Tips

Let your child choose a science project that interests them, I find my children are much happier to get stuck into a project that they have chosen rather than something I think they should do. Obviously if they choose something too difficult you might have suggest bringing things down a level. A good starting point is to narrow it down to a selection of five you think would work for both of you and allow the child to make the final decision.

If you have a child who thinks they don't like science and just isn't enthusiastic, try to combine science with something they do love. For example, there are lots of brilliant art and science projects around. Or if you have a child who likes to build things, try one of our engineering projects. Books and stories can be a great source of inspiration too. We've got lots of story themed science activities for inspiration.

Try not to take over. I am terrible for interfering too much, but I'm really trying to take a step back and be the helper rather than the leader.

Science Fair Projects

Messy Science Fair Projects

Slime Investigation Ideas

Why is slime slimy?

Find out why slimy has the properties that make it fun with a slime investigation using our easy slime recipe.

How can I make clear slime?

Make a batch of slime using opaque glue and one with transparent glue and compare the two. Slime made using soluble fibre is another variation you could try.

Can I make slime without glue?

YES! This slime recipe using Guar Gum looks great!

We have three borax and glue free slime recipes you could try too.

What's the science behind slime?

Glue flows because the polymer chains slide over each other. When you make slime with glue and saline solution ( which contains boric acid ) the boric acid in the saline solution reacts with baking soda to form borate ions which form bonds between the polymer chains of the glue. This is called cross linking and is what makes the slime mixture stick together, making it slimy!!

Make a soda dispenser

This AWESOME soda dispenser idea is from from Steve Spangler and uses the good old mento and soda trick where you drop a mento into a bottle of coke and watch it fizz. You could use the activity to investigate how different types of sodas have different levels of reaction, and challenge yourself to see how many cups you can fill.

If you'd rather a less messy drinks dispenser, we have a version that uses air pressure to dispense the drink and can be used over and over again.

Erupt a volcano with baking soda and vinegar

Learn about chemical reactions with a baking soda volcano. Experiment to find the perfect combination of vinegar, baking soda and washing up liquid ( dish soap ) to make the most realistic looking lava. Does thicker lava flow more slowly?

You could make a volcano from papier mache, modroc, sand or snow! Try making different colours, sizes and shapes.

Babble Dabble Do has an amazing lemon volcano that we bet will smell amazing too!

Red Ted Art has a brilliant erupting papier mache volcano too!

Coloured Snow Volcano

Weather Science Fair Projects

Track changes to the weather over a period of time by making a barometer to measure air pressure, a rain gauge to measure rain, a pinecone weather station and other fun weather science activities.

Weather based investigations are great if you have a period of weeks or months to track changes and a perfect for learning to record and display data. We love weather science!

Weather Science Experiments

Food Science Fair Projects

Why does fresh pineapple stop jelly setting?

Try some kitchen science and investigate why fresh pineapple stops jelly setting. You might find some other fruits have the same effect...

Edible Life Cycles

Create a series of edible life cycles. This butterfly life cycle is a great example to get you started.

Edible life cycle

Investigate tooth decay with egg shells

Egg shells are the perfect material for investigating the effect of different substances on teeth. Coffee, vinegar and fizzy drinks are great things to try first.

Density Science Fair Projects

A density jarmakes for a wonderfully visual science demonstration. See how many layers you can float on to of each other and try to find an object to float on each layer.

You could even try a little science magic trick. Although this can get messy so be careful.

Density Jar Science Fair Project

Osmosis Projects for a Science Fair

Osmosis always sounds like a really tricky subject, but actually it's pretty simple. You can use eggs with no shell to demonstrate easily.

Use eggs to investigate osmosis and diffusion.This simple, low cost activity is great for explaining quite complex processes and very visual as well.

The photo below shows how water has moved into one egg ( with the shell removed ) and out of the other.

Eggs shrunken and enlarged because of osmosis

Make a Scribble Bot

A Scribble or Art bot is a fantastic creative science fair project. Try changing the position of the pens and size of spinner to change the effect.

Art bot

Science Fair Projects

If you didn't quite find what you were looking for, try one of our other easy science experiments for kids

If you're looking for an inexpensive prize for a science fair, how about one of our science books?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
20 AMAZING Science Fair Project Ideas - Easy Science for Kids

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Here at Science Sparks we LOVE a good but appreciate that not everyone feels the same way, so here are a few amazing ( and easy ) science fair project ideas to give you some inspiration.

# data[].attributes.body
Do try this at home

# data[].attributes.body
MrSTEMurray

# data[].attributes.body
Science club ideas sheets

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Thanks for signing up to the Awesomely Amazing Science Club from Whizz Pop Bang - we can't wait to help you bring your club to life!

No more scrabbling around to find science activies at the last minute, we've done the planning for you :) All that's left for you to do is to get together the easy-to-find materials using our handy kit list. Then you're all set for some serious science fun!

Simply download the plans in six-week terms below...

Autumn Term 1

The year kicks off with a fun mix of hands-on activities to try, from aerofoils to peashooters!

Contents of download: 1 kit list for autumn term 1, 6 planning sheet pdfs, including instructions, templates and explanations. Total zipped size: 15.9 MB

Autumn Term 2

This term focuses on wintry activities, along with a fun reindeer optical illusion for Christmas!

Contents of download: 1 kit list for autumn term 2, 6 planning sheet pdfs, including instructions, templates and explanations, plus a short video of a reindeer optical illusion to make. Total zipped size: 22.2 MB

Spring Term 1

The focus on STEM challenges this term will really get kids thinking scientificially and developing their engineering skills. There are three challenges, each split across two weeks.

Contents of download: 1 kit list for spring term 1, 3 planning sheet pdfs, including instructions for the challenges, 1 printable paper template. Total zipped size: 9.1 MB

Spring Term 2

This term has a plastic/recycling theme, along with a couple of egg-tastic experiments that are perfect for Easter! Some of the activities link to the science week theme of 'our diverse planet'.

Contents of download: 1 kit list for spring term 2, 6 planning sheet pdfs, 2 instruction pages, 1 printable paper template with instructions. Total zipped size: 26.7 MB

Summer Term 1

It's all about water this term. Make a splash with these summery science activities!

Contents of download: 1 kit list for summer term 1, 6 planning sheet pdfs, 2 instruction pages, 2 printable paper templates. Total zipped size: 27.1 MB
Download summer term 1
Summer Term 2

This term, with no physical clubs happening, we're releasing one activity each week, rather than overwhelming people with all six week's worth of experiments at once. Each activity can easily be done at home and requires only household equipment.

Make sure you check out our Whizz Pop Bang subscriptions for schools. Get whole-school access to our ever-expanding library of over 200 top-quality downloadable teaching resources, as well as a magazine delivered to your school library each month from just £190 per year.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Thanks for signing up to the Awesomely Amazing Science Club from Whizz Pop Bang - we can't wait to help you bring your club to life! No more scrabbling around to find science activies at the last minute, we've done the planning for you :) All that's left for you to do is to get together the easy-to-find materials using our handy kit list.