Science Clubs in Junior School

[Figgis8]

My DS attends the local Primary School. There is currently no provision for a Science club for the children and the teachers are reluctant to devote any more of their time for this. They already do a variety of clubs that include a lot of sports. I have asked if anybody would like to facilitate the club amongst my friends and work colleagues but there have been no takers. I myself can not facilitate a club (no knowledge of such things, although I am happy to help out setting up and administering). How on earth can I obtain a facilitator who is willing to do this type of thing on a voluntary basis?

It's computing rather than science Figgis, but is there anyone volunteering in your neighbourhood for Code Club?

Alternatively, are there any science based employers near you? They may be interested in encouraging a staff person to volunteer. Encourage the next generation etc...

I run a lunchtime science club for year 5 and 6 in my school. We're a middle school, have years 5 to 8 and I'm the science technician. A lot of the things we do are only possible as we have proper labs and equipment. The activities we do for your year 5 are loosely based on the mega star scheme by the British Science association.It might be worth you looking at their site for more information. It might be the thought of preparing things from scratch that's putting people off starting something.

www.britishscienceassociation.org/creststar

STEM might be able to help, or what about A-level students?
There are loads of resources out there and by encouraging the children to work things out/ hypothesise they learn and don't need that much input.
The institute of Physics has weekly experiments aimed at primary children (Marvin & milo) and they would form a great basis - you only need one or 2 experiments a week for it to work, as you let the children expand the ideas/make variations/proove theories.
You say you can't do it, but I think you might just pull it off.

most of the crest star stuff wouldn't require any specialist knowledge :) I think keeness (is that a real word?!) would go a long way - perhaps you are the person for the job!

I was going to say you won't need specialist knowledge to run a club at primary level. As long as you have a decent general knowledge and are prepared to do a bit o background reading you'd be fine.
The bigger challenge is controlling the kids and keeping them focussed.
That takes a bit more of a certain kind of personality.
Have to say this has got me thinking about running one at my school!

Thanks all, its given me a start in where to look. I am not giving up!

Have you asked school if they would want such a thing set up even? THe red tape around and externally facilitated voluntary thing ( rather than a set up that simply hires the room and carries there own insurance etc) must be a nightmare!

Yes the school is willing, but they don't have a teacher who can spare the time. Its such a shame.

The RI might have some resources - www.rigb.org/