Across Denmark, hundreds of elementary school children in Denmark are choosing science over soccer and other typical extracurriculars. A nationwide program, Videnskabsklubben, is sparking scientific curiosity with hands-on experiments—and demand is at an all-time high with more than 800 children on a waiting list.
Science as the New After-School Favorite
Every autumn, children in grades 4 through 6 across Denmark have the chance to go to “science class” after school – not in a traditional academic sense, but as a fun and interactive club activity. This initiative, called Videnskabsklubben (The Science Club), aims to make science as engaging and accessible as playing soccer or joining the Scouts. More children in Denmark are becoming interested in science.
Starting in week 43 of the Danish school year, participating children get messy with homemade slime, examine 3D-printed skulls, and even dig for fossils. These are hands-on science experiences rooted in curiosity, exploration, and discovery. The club encourages experiences beyond screens and classrooms, helping kids develop a personal connection with the natural world. The children seem to enjoy science.
Historical Growth and Soaring Demand
Since its founding only six years ago, Videnskabsklubben has expanded rapidly, from operating in just 7 municipalities to now being active in 67 municipalities across Denmark. The organization has room for 1,440 participants this year, but the demand far outweighs capacity. Currently, 803 children in Denmark are on the waiting list, suggesting a nationwide hunger for enriching and imaginative after-school science activities.
This surge in interest follows a recent push by educators and families alike to find screen-free, curiosity-driven learning environments. Rather than expanding their time with textbooks or tests, children in the club are encouraged to experience and question the world around them, whether through experiments in biology, microbiology, physics, chemistry, or archaeology.
A Break from Traditional Learning
Videnskabsklubben distinguishes itself by taking learning out of the classroom and into the hands of the students. Lessons don’t involve chalkboards or worksheets. Instead, children in Denmark conduct real experiments: mixing red cabbage juice with apple juice to explore pH reactions, observing how cornstarch mixtures change texture, and examining the legs of a fly under a microscope.
Learning happens through sensory engagement. Children might search for insects or analyze leaves in local green areas, breaking from traditional seated instruction. This emphasis on experiential learning helps develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, while being tremendously fun.
Led by Youth, Supported by Science Foundations
The weekly club sessions are led by volunteer high school students who serve as informal mentors and role models. These young instructors share their own enthusiasm for science while guiding small groups of children through various experiments and activities. The club’s community-driven model creates a sense of belonging among participants and fosters social learning.
Videnskabsklubben is free to join. The program is generously funded by several prominent organizations, including the Novo Nordisk Foundation, the A.P. Møller Foundation, and the Villum Foundation, among others. With such strong institutional support, the club ensures that accessibility and educational quality remain at the heart of its mission.
Looking Toward the Future of STEM Education
In 2025, Videnskabsklubben will engage over 2,000 children across Denmark. The overwhelming interest and participation point to a growing recognition of the importance of STEM education at a young age, but also a need to offer it in dynamic, student-centered ways that differ from traditional classrooms.
While sports and arts will always have their place in children’s extracurricular lives, Videnskabsklubben proves that science can compete and win for children’s attention. By giving kids the chance to experiment, explore, and be amazed by the world around them, this initiative is helping nurture a generation of wonder-seekers, critical thinkers, and future innovators.
Enrollment and More Information
Enrollment for future sessions can be accessed through Videnskabsklubben’s official registration platform. Activities remain free of charge, and spaces fill up quickly each year due to the limited number of placements. Families interested in fostering their children’s curiosity and love of science are encouraged to sign up early to secure a spot.
