5 Extracurricular Activity Ideas for STEM Students

There Are Many Ways That STEM Students Can Explore Their Interests Outside of the Classroom Extracurricular activities are a great way for students to explore their interests, develop a specialty, and eventually stand out when it comes time to apply to college. For STEM students, finding extracurricular initiatives that match their interests can sometimes be difficult, but there are actually a lot of opportunities out there that allow STEM students to get involved and make an impact. Colleges want to see students exploring their interests outside of the classroom, and extracurricular activities are a great way to do that. Whether it’s participating in a school club, joining an organization outside of school, or just creating your own activity, getting involved in clubs and activities that relate to your interests can help your college admissions chances. Here are five extracurricular activity ideas for STEM students to explore! Compete in Local/National CompetitionsThere are a number of STEM-focused competitions that students can prepare for and participate in as a way to better explore their interests and demonstrate their specialty to college admissions officers. Math competitions, like Mu Alpha Theta’s local and national contests, or more science-focused competitions, like the Science Olympiad or the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, are great ways for students to continue to pursue their academic interests outside of the classroom. Become a Volunteer MentorOne of the best ways to continue to learn about a subject you’re passionate about is to actually teach it to someone else! Becoming a mentor for younger students, whether that’s through an organization like your local Boys and Girls Club, through a religious organization, through your school, or some other program, can allow you to make an impact while imparting your knowledge on others. Volunteer to help with a middle school robotics league, offer to tutor younger students struggling with math, or sign up to be a counselor at a local science camp. Find ways to make an impact! Join a Robotics LeagueScience, math, technology, and engineering all intersect in robotics. If your school has a robotics team – join! If not, see if you can find a local robotics league for high school students and either join an existing team or form your own with your friends and classmates. Build a Website or AppThere are so many resources out there to help students learn how to code, like Treehouse or Codecademy. This is a great way to not only hone your coding skills, but can also be used to help support other extracurricular initiatives, like building a website for your robotics league or developing an app to help better tutor younger students. Create Your Own!Extracurricular activity ideas are endless, and students have the ability to create their own! If you’re interested in biology and want to start a biology club at your school – go for it! If there’s a local science competition that your school doesn’t normally enter, see if you’re able to participate on your own. Form your own robotics club, or seek out a teacher that can help you and other classmates establish a physics club. Don’t be afraid to create your own activities if STEM clubs are lacking at your school. Finding extracurricular activities that match your interests doesn’t have to be difficult. With some research and creativity, you can participate in, or even create, activities that will help you stand out when it comes time to apply to college. What other extracurricular activity ideas do you have for students interested in STEM?