Aim: to develop children's science capital through child leadership of science enrichment.

Who is involved?

• Around ten children aged nine to eleven form the team.

• They are supported by an adult in school, ideally the science lead or a member of staff who is an advocate for science.

• All children in the school can get involved with the enrichment that the team lead.

• Possible names for the team include: Science Committee, Science Ambassadors, Science Helpers, Science Technicians or Lab Helpers.

What do they do?

• The children come up with ideas for science enrichment, then they plan how to turn their ideas into reality, and put in the work to make it happen!

• The adult supports the children by suggesting ideas, as well as scaffolding and modelling planning and preparation - especially at the start of the year.

• Examples of enrichment include: lunch time or after-school clubs, assemblies, science cinema, science weeks, competitions, science busking at school events and writing blogs about their work.

How much time does it take up?

• The team meets once a week to decide what they want to do, plan how to do it and prepare resources.

• They might need to come back at break and lunchtimes to do additional planning and prep for big events.

• They could also put on events after school.

Why do it?

• The child science leaders benefit immensely from the small-group attention, and from the support with developing leadership and co-operation, as well as organisational and planning skills. The children tell us that it can massively build the confidence of shy children to speak in public and to express their ideas.

• Other children benefit from the enrichment led by the child science leaders - directly by participating in activities, but also by being immersed in a culture where science is clearly valued and where children openly celebrate science.

• Science Leads benefit from having child leaders who can support them with enrichment, and who can even help with preparing equipment for lessons.

Want to find out more, or do this yourself? 

Here are some "How To" guides, resources and ideas:

• Guidance on how to set up a child science leadership team

• Example application form

• Example rules of the committee

• Term-by-term ideas for child science leadership teams

• Example letter for a lunchtime Science Cinema club

• Example letter for an after school Science Engineering & Art club

• Example end of club newsletter for children to take home to families (photos with children's faces taken out!)

• Certificate for participation in Children's Science Conference

• Guidance on how to carry out science busking in your school

• For lots of ideas for clubs, science week, visitors, competitions etc. take a look at our Science for Life enrichment page!