Handbook: Create and Run a Science Club

Produced by the Institut de Recherche Pour le Développement (IRD) in partnership with the Association Planète Sciences, this handbook offers information for setting up and running a science club. According to the publication, a science club is a forum, often within a school, association, cultural institution, research centre, or public or private organisation, for participants to come together to explore science and scientific methods. Together, they put on activities and realise a project, for example, experiments, technical construction, debates, reporting, or even theatre. The handbook is intended for any person who wishes to lead a science club (teachers, science educators, students, researchers, technicians), who have little or no experience in running such an activity. According to the authors, the handbook was produced especially to assist project initiators in the developing countries of Africa taking part in the programme Promotion de la Culture Scientifique et Technique run by IRD at the request of the French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, though it could be useful for anyone interested in engaging in such an activity.
This guide is divided into four key sections:

• Clubs and public understanding of science
• The basics of the science club
• Set up a science club
• Choose your activities and tools

For all projects and activities, the handbook recommends communication activities to keep partners informed about the project's progress (through correspondence and newsletters, for instance) and to make sure the club becomes well known. This includes possibly launching a website or blog, taking part in seminars or presenting activities at scientific forums, and undertaking publicity though posters, invitations, leaflets, radio publicity, etc.