Best Extracurricular Activities for Students Interested in STEM
The best way for STEM students to find and build extracurriculars to help for their college applications in high school.
If you’re interested in STEM, your extracurriculars don’t have to stop at the classroom. Some
people see a broken gadget and look for a replacement. STEM students might see a mini
engineering challenge. The best opportunities can help you explore what you enjoy, develop
practical skills, and turn your interests into something meaningful.
1. Join a STEM Club
Look for robotics, engineering, coding, cybersecurity, astronomy, biology, chemistry, or other
science-focused clubs at your school, college or in your community. These activities can give
you experience working with others while exploring STEM beyond your coursework/curriculum.
2. Participate in Competitions
Science fairs, Science Olympiad, math competitions, coding challenges, and hackathons can
help you apply what you learn in class to real problems. Competitions can also help you
discover which areas of STEM you enjoy most!
3. Build Your Own Project
You don’t have to join an existing organization to pursue a STEM interest. You could build an
app, conduct an independent experiment, create a website, develop an Arduino project, or
research a problem affecting your community.
PCF calls these Purpose Projects: student-led projects built around a problem you genuinely
care about. A STEM interest can become a Purpose Project when you connect it to a real need.For example, creating free coding workshops for younger students or developing a tool that
addresses a problem at your school.
4. Volunteer and Share Your STEM Skills
Volunteering can be another way to turn STEM knowledge into impact. Consider tutoring
younger students in math or science, helping at a science museum, running educational
workshops, or supporting a STEM-focused nonprofit.
PCF’s Extracurricular Database is a useful place to look for volunteer and STEM opportunities.
Instead of trying to join every STEM activity you can find, focus on opportunities that genuinely
interest you and that you can contribute to consistently.
5. Write Your Own Research Paper
Curious about a question that doesn’t have an easy answer? Choose a topic you genuinely care
about, conduct your own research, analyze your findings, and turn what you discover into a
research paper. You can even reach out to a teacher, professor, mentor or expert for guidance
along the way!
Ultimately, you don’t need a long list of STEM activities. Start with an interest, find an
opportunity that fits, and look for ways to grow your involvement over time. Whether you join a
robotics team, volunteer as a tutor, or build your own Purpose Project.