Start a Science Action Club

Designed for middle school youth in out-of-school time, Science Action Club features high quality staff training and science kits that inspire wonder for the natural world. Available in English and bilingual English/Spanish, each kit includes:

• 12 activities and bonus resources for 60-90 minute club sessions
• Science tools and supplies for 20 youth in grades 5-8
• Interactive, self-paced, online training for program staff

Bug Safari explores small creatures with big environmental impacts. On local field expeditions, youth search for bugs, collect specimens, and post photographs to iNaturalist—a citizen science project and online social network for nature research. Working with scientists and other students, youth identify arthropod species and document habitat conditions that influence our planet’s health.

Explore sample activities and kit materials.

• Engineer an Arthropod
• Tools of the Trade
• Bug Safari Kit & Refill Materials
• NGSS Connections

Bird Scouts explores feathers, flight, and the features that make birds unique. Using tools and technology, youth identify local species and investigate environmental changes that impact bird behavior. The checklists youth submit to eBird—a citizen science project from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology—help scientists track changes in bird distribution and abundance across the globe.

Explore sample activities and kit materials.

• Build a Bird
• Bird Counts
• Bird Scouts Kit & Refill Materials
• NGSS Connections

Cloud Quest explores the impact of clouds on weather and climate. Using the GLOBE Observer citizen science platform, youth identify sky conditions and report their discoveries to NASA. Researchers map these observations against satellite image data to study how clouds influence the flow of energy through Earth’s atmosphere.

Explore sample activities and kit materials.

• Build a Satellite
• Connect to NASA
• Cloud Quest Kit & Refill Materials
• NGSS Connections

SAC guidebook instructions are designed to be clear and easy to follow, but leading activities with youth takes practice and preparation. That’s why all participating programs receive access to SAC online trainings. Relevant, interactive, and fun, the trainings provide important background information, teaching tips, step-by-step guidance for all 12 activities, and recommendations for how to extend and deepen the learning experience. Available for computers and mobile devices, SAC online trainings can be completed at your own pace, and on your own schedule. For even more hands-on practice and support, contact us to request a customized in-person training workshop.