Best Extracurriculars to Enhance STEM Learning for Students

If you want to explore your interests, improve college readiness and develop an area of expertise, extracurricular activities are the way to go.

But when you’re looking to enhance specific skills, it’s important to choose the right activity. After all, we only have so much time outside of school hours and we want to ensure we’re using it wisely.

Colleges are especially interested in your extracurriculars of choice because they help paint a well-rounded picture of your interests and abilities. So if you’re interested in pursuing a STEM-related major, you’re going to want to choose activities that send the right message.

The good news is that there are many extracurricular activities you can explore. And in this post, we’re going to explore a few to get your creative wheels turning.

Robotics Club

In Robotics Club, you’ll work with other students to design and build robots to compete in local and national competitions. Your robot will need to overcome a specific set of challenges and out-perform others to win the title. And to add to the fun, robotics competitions are STEM extracurriculars that draw crowds similar to a sporting event.

Expect to develop and program your robot in the weeks leading up to the big event, but you’ll need to follow a stringent set of rules and regulations.

And as a bonus, you’ll refine STEM skills and gain invaluable experience for a resume you’ll one day need.

STEM Club

If you have access to a local STEM club, you’re in luck. STEM clubs are specifically targeted to help students work on inquiry-based Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).

Check-in your local area, but you may find STEM clubs available from pre-K through high school.

Mathematics Team

If math is your passion, you may want to challenge yourself in the mathematics team after school hours. When you join the math club, you can gain confidence and learn how to work under pressure. This extracurricular activity will also help you improve your academic skills to improve your grades.

And we all know that math is a skill that can help throughout our lives, starting with the SAT, ACT and GRE tests.

But if none of that appeals to you, join for the fame and fortune. If you join a competition like MathCounts, your competition may even be broadcast live on ESPN!

Coding Club

When you join the coding club, not only are you learning a highly marketable skill, but you will also learn problem-solving and creative skills that will serve you well in all endeavors.

In the coding club, you’ll learn to work as a team and prioritize tasks. These are all skills that will help your college and job readiness as you prepare for your future.

Extracurricular activities offer a way to challenge yourself, learn new skills, make new friends and prepare yourself for college and beyond.

But choosing the right extracurricular activity doesn’t have to be difficult. All you have to do is hone in on what you love about STEM and find the activity that best supports your passion. And if you’re looking for a well-rounded STEM experience, consider joining a STEM-specific club. With the popularity and importance of STEM learning, there are more opportunities than ever.

What extracurricular activities excite you? Are there any others you would recommend for STEM students? Share your ideas with us at hello@careerinstem.com.