Inspiring the next generation of scientists: NRF-SAASTA expands After School Science Clubs across Gauteng

South Africa’s future depends on a new generation of young people who are curious, innovative and equipped with the skills to solve tomorrow’s challenges. Sparking an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) cannot begin only when learners reach university—it must start much earlier, by creating meaningful opportunities for young people to discover the excitement and relevance of science in their everyday lives.

This is the driving force behind the After School Science Clubs (ASSC) programme, an initiative that is helping to transform schools into spaces where learners can explore, experiment, innovate and develop a lifelong interest in STEM beyond the classroom. By expanding the reach of these clubs, NRF-SAASTA and its partners are strengthening South Africa’s future STEM talent pipeline while ensuring that more learners—regardless of where they live—have access to engaging science experiences, mentorship and career opportunities.

On 25 July 2026 NRF-SAASTA, in collaboration with the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE), officially launched the Gauteng rollout of the After School Science Clubs programme to 35 schools during a National Science Month (NSM) event at the SANBI National Zoological Garden in Pretoria.

The event brought together learners, educators and STEM stakeholders for a day of practical learning, interactive exhibitions and science engagement while preparing participating schools to establish sustainable science clubs that will continue to inspire learners long after National Science Month has ended.

“The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) has signed collaborative agreements with seven provinces to support the Department of Basic Education by providing complementary learning and teaching. Leaners’ support is through extra-curricular activities and the ASSC is a hub of all these extra-curricular activities which include STEMI Olympiads and Fairs, 4IR related competitions such as Coding and Robotics, and other competitions such as Debates, Blue Schools, Bridge Building, etc,” says Dr Moloko Matlala, Manager STEMI Education.

The After School Science Clubs programme is coordinated nationally by NRF-SAASTA through partnerships across South Africa’s science engagement ecosystem. More than just extracurricular activities, ASSCs create environments where learners experience science as something exciting, relevant and accessible. Through coding and robotics, engineering challenges, environmental projects, mathematics enrichment, competitions, career guidance and other hands-on activities, learners develop critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving and teamwork—skills that are essential for success in a rapidly evolving world.

Importantly, the clubs are learner-driven, with educators and mentors providing guidance while encouraging young people to take ownership of their learning. This approach nurtures confidence, leadership and curiosity, helping learners see themselves as future scientists, engineers, innovators and technology leaders.

The Gauteng launch equipped learner representatives and educators with practical guidance on establishing and managing successful science clubs. Participants received training on planning meaningful STEM activities, maintaining club records, coordinating learner participation and sustaining active clubs throughout the year. The objective was not simply to launch a programme, but to build a strong foundation for long-term science engagement within participating schools.

A key feature of the launch was the strong collaboration between organisations committed to advancing STEM education and science engagement. The South African Mathematics Foundation (SAMF), South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE), University of Johannesburg (UJ), Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON), Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), Waterberg Innovation Centre, Rand Water’s Water Wise programme and SANBI all contributed interactive exhibitions, demonstrations and practical learning experiences.

Learners experienced STEM in action across a wide range of disciplines. SAICE challenged participants to design and construct bridges, introducing engineering principles through hands-on problem-solving, while UJ and Sci-Bono facilitated robotics activities that showcased innovation and emerging technologies. Other exhibitions exposed learners to biodiversity, environmental science, sustainability, water conservation, mathematics and scientific research, broadening their understanding of the many career pathways available within STEM.

The launch also highlighted the importance of peer learning through the participation of Thengwe High School, one of the programme’s established science clubs. Learners and their mentors shared their experiences with newly participating schools, demonstrating how committed educators, learner leadership and sustained participation can transform a science club into a thriving platform for discovery and achievement.

The day concluded with Sci-Bono’s interactive science show, providing an energetic finale that reinforced the excitement and accessibility of science. Together, the activities illustrated the central purpose of ASSC: bringing diverse STEM partners together to create meaningful learning experiences that inspire curiosity and encourage continued exploration.

While National Science Month serves as an important catalyst for public science engagement, initiatives such as the After School Science Clubs ensure that this momentum continues throughout the year. By embedding science engagement within schools, learners have ongoing opportunities to participate in practical STEM activities, interact with scientists and innovators, build confidence and deepen their understanding of science beyond the curriculum.

The rollout to 35 Gauteng schools marks another significant milestone in expanding access to quality science engagement across South Africa. Every new science club represents another opportunity to ignite curiosity, nurture talent and inspire learners to pursue STEM studies and careers. As the network of After School Science Clubs continues to grow, so too does South Africa’s capacity to cultivate the next generation of researchers, innovators and problem-solvers who will help shape the country’s future.

Through the continued expansion of ASSCs, NRF-SAASTA and its partners are doing more than establishing science clubs—they are building a stronger culture of science engagement, creating pathways into STEM careers and investing in the scientific capability that South Africa will need for generations to come.