The St. Jude STEM Club is an afterschool program for students of all ability levels in grade 5. The club’s goal is to increase students’ critical thinking skills and interest in STEM through hands-on projects and challenges. Students work in teams to explore a problem related to pediatric cancers.
Club Curriculum
Learning in the club begins with an exploration of a patient case study. Students take on the role as physician-scientists to diagnose a patient with osteosarcoma, a cancer of the bone. The students also learn about several treatment options for these patients.
Many children with osteosarcoma require either partial or full amputation of the affected body part. This might result in the need for a prosthetic. Students will learn about the challenges of designing prosthetics for young patients who are still growing. As part of the process, students will design a functioning prosthetic hand using everyday materials.
Club Sites
The club is held at elementary schools in the Memphis area during either the fall or spring semester.
Fall 2022 STEM Clubs
- John P. Freeman Elementary School
- Springdale Elementary School
- Oakshire Elementary School
- Vollentine Elementary School
- Treadwell Elementary School
- Grahamwood Elementary School
- Rivercrest Elementary School
- William H. Brewster Elementary School
- Dexter Elementary School
- Jackson Elementary School
Spring 2023 STEM Clubs
- Whitehaven Elementary
- Belle Forest Elementary
- Idlewild Elementary
- Peabody Elementary
- Campus School
- Kingsbury Elementary
- Snowden Elementary
- Sea Isle Elementary
- Downtown Elementary
- Germantown Elementary
- Wells Station Elementary
Related Publications
Ayers, Katherine A., Katherine Wade-Jaimes, Lei Wang, Robyn A. Pennella, and Stanley B. Pounds. 2020. “The St. Jude STEM Clubs: An Afterschool STEM Club for Upper Elementary School Students in Memphis, TN.” Journal of STEM Outreach 3 (1): 1-14. https://doi.org/10.15695/jstem/v3i1.13