Magaji, Adewale, Ade-Ojo, Gordon ORCID: 0000-0002-1098-0765 and Bijlhout, Diola (2022) The impact of after school science club on the learning progress and attainment of students. International Journal of Instruction, 15 (3):2021062412. pp. 171-190. ISSN 1694-609X (Print), 1308-1470 (Online)

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Abstract

This study reports the measured impact of attendance at after school science club (ASSC) on the progress and attainment of Key stages 3 and 4 students in a coeducation academy in the UK. The research was experimental in design and collected data from both a control and an experimental group of participants, 17 and 140 respectively. Data were collected through observation, questionnaires, focus groups and test performance scores. The data were subjected to various statistical analyses using SPSS. The means of performance scores for students in both control and experimental groups were tested for significance at different time points using Welch’s T-test, and the effect of the ASSC on science performance scores across the different time points for both groups was tested (pre and post tests) using the Kruskal Wallis test. The questionnaire was analyzed using thematic analysis with recurrent themes identified following a process of coding to establish the skills that students can gain from attending and participating in an ASSC. The study found that the experimental group, who attended ASSC showed improvements in their academic attainment although most participants identified the acquisition of non-academic skills as the more significant outcome of their engagement. These skills included collaboration and teamwork, leadership and communication skills, and confidence in learning. Drawing on the findings, the study provides evidence that discipline-specific after-school clubs can facilitate learning and recommends that discipline-informed extra-curricular activities should be promoted in facilitating learning in STEM subjects.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	after school science club; extra-curricular activity; attainment in science; STEM; learning progress; attainment of students
Subjects:	L Education > LB Theory and practice of education Q Science > Q Science (General)
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > Institute for Lifecourse Development Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > Institute for Lifecourse Development > Centre for Thinking and Learning Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > School of Education (EDU)
Related URLs:	Publisher Publisher
Last Modified:	29 Apr 2022 10:04
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/35844

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