Clubs and Extracurriculars
Activ8 STEM Academy offers a variety of enrichment clubs to cultivate student interests. Most clubs provide hands-on opportunities for students to explore their interests and career choices. Club participation is one way STEM and higher-level thinking skills are incorporated to enrich the students’ educational experiences.
3-D Printing Club - Advisor: Brittany Preston
In the 3D printing club, students get hands-on experience with design, technology, and creativity. Students learn about 3D printing, design digital models, engage in the engineering and design process, explore STEM concepts, and collaborate on projects. The club incorporates a mix of tech skills, creativity, and hands-on learning, and students enjoy watching something they designed become a real, physical object.
3-D Art / Pottery Club - Advisor: Tiffany Munford
In the 3D Art and Pottery Club, the focus is on hands-on creativity and exploring different art forms, especially working with clay and other materials. Students learn basic pottery skills, work with a variety of materials, paint and decorate creations, explore artistic techniques, and develop their imagination and creativity. The club is a hands-on, creative, and sensory-rich experience that builds fine motor skills, patience, and artistic confidence.
Cadets - Advisor: Ronald Pierce
Cadets Club is a youth leadership and discipline-based program. It introduces students to concepts such as teamwork, responsibility, and civic awareness, often in a fun and structured environment. Students learn leadership skills, improve teamwork and collaboration, and develop citizenship and character. Essentially, the Cadets club offers a mix of discipline, leadership, teamwork, and fun activities designed to build confidence and responsibility in students.
Cheer/Step Club - Advisor: Sarah Owen
Students who participate in the Cheer/Step Club will collaborate to create a fun-filled, spirit-enhanced club that represents house and school-based enthusiasm. Together, students and staff will choreograph unique steps and moves to show off their Activ8 Pride!!
Chess Club - Advisor: Lorenzo Holland
Chess Club is the perfect place to build problem-solving skills, practice strategy, and enjoy some friendly competition. Whether students are beginners learning the basics or seasoned players aiming to improve their game, they can learn new tactics and have a great time thinking one move ahead!
Crafting Club - Advisor: Arketa Washington
This is the club for students who love making dreams into reality or bringing something creative to life. This club is for all who love working with their hands, building and designing things using paper and their creativity. Students explore their learning and advance their creativity in the world of crafts!
Creative Writing Club - Advisor: Carrie Nelson
The Creative Writing Club invites students in grades 3–7 to explore the joy of creative expression through storytelling, poetry, personal narrative, and imaginative writing. Through engaging prompts, mini-lessons, peer collaboration, and publishing opportunities, students develop their unique writing voice, build confidence, and strengthen foundational writing skills. The club fosters a supportive and inspiring environment where all ideas are welcome, and creativity knows no bounds!
Crowned with Confidence - Advisor: Alysha Walker
The Crowned with Confidence club focuses on leadership enrichment. Its mission is to help young people step confidently into who they are becoming — with character, integrity, and intentionality. Through interactive workshops and group discussions, students will explore how to present themselves respectfully, communicate effectively, dress for different occasions, handle conflict gracefully, and build positive reputations both online and in person. Each session fosters self-worth, professionalism, and connections.
Debate Club - Advisor: Schwaan Rowell
Have you ever wanted to share your ideas and learn to speak confidently? Our Debate Club gives students an opportunity to discuss interesting topics and practice expressing their thoughts in a friendly way. In the Debate Club, students learn how to listen carefully to others and respectfully share their own opinions. It's a great place to make new friends and have fun while improving their speaking skills.
Esports - Advisor: April Schill Booth
The Esports Club provides a fun introduction to the world of competitive gaming. Students will learn about what Esports is, the games we’ll play, and how teamwork and strategy make it exciting. This club provides a chance to meet other gamers, share the games you enjoy, and help shape the club for the year. Whether you’re a pro or just curious, everyone is welcome to jump in and be part of the action!
First LEGO League Competition Team - Advisor: Sara Gauldin
Open to students in grades 3–5, this exciting club invites young innovators to take on the challenge of designing, building, and coding LEGO robots. Using SPIKE Prime and block-based coding on computers, students will collaborate to solve real-world inspired missions. Through hands-on learning, students will strengthen their problem-solving skills and think critically and creatively to overcome a series of fun and complex challenges.
Food Science Club - Advisor: Judith Green
Who doesn't love food? It's fun to make, it's fun to eat, it's fun to ...study? That's right! There is a lot of science that goes into the everyday foods that you love. Students explore questions such as how baking ingredients work, how and why certain ingredients mix well together, and why people's tastes differ.
Gardening Club - Advisor: Beth deAristizabal
The Gardening Club is the place for those with green thumbs and nature lovers! Students learn to love the smell of fresh soil, the sight of blooming flowers, or veggies. If students are curious about plants, this is the perfect place to dig in, get their hands dirty, and grow something amazing! Students can help beautify the school grounds and contribute to a greener, healthier environment.
History Competition Club - Advisor: Michelle Darling
The History Competition Club is a chance to learn and explore more about history. Students participating in the History Club learn about National History Day, choose research topics, research historical content, prepare and deliver presentations, and prepare for competitions.
Math Olympiad Club: Elementary School - Advisor: Carol Boaz
Math Olympiad Club: Middle School - Advisor: Jessica Hicks
The Math Olympiad team provides an exciting and engaging opportunity for students to solve challenging mathematical problems and stretch their math skills! This opportunity is available to both elementary and middle school students alike who have a passion for demonstrating their math skills in a competitive environment.
Mindfulness Club - Advisor - Martinique Williams
Students in the Mindfulness Club will find a safe, calm space where they can learn and practice mindfulness techniques to improve focus, manage emotions, and connect with themselves and others through activities including guided breathing, yoga, gratitude journaling, and exercise.
Robotics - Advisors: Sara Gauldin and John Owusu
Students will use robotics to delve into computer science and engineering with cross-curricular ties to mathematics in the fields of measurement, geometry, and logic operators. Students will learn the basic structures and functions of the robots. They will be working on design, construction, controls, and calculations in the context of increasing levels of challenge and rigor.
Elementary students will be using LEGO Prime Robotics kits and iRobots.
Middle school students will be using a more advanced coding language with the iRobots and building VEX robots.
Science Competition Club - Advisor: Jessica Pruitt
Danville Public Schools hosts a district-wide science competition each year. Students use the scientific method to solve a real-world issue with science. In this club, our young scientists will be introduced to the scientific method from start to finish and taught how to properly use it to solve problems. There will be two teams, elementary and middle. Each team will have three sections: quiz bowl, laboratory, and an escape room.
Spanish Club - Advisor: Daniela Bonnet
Students participating in the Spanish Club focus on learning about the Spanish language and Hispanic cultures in a fun, interactive way. Activities can include learning basic Spanish words and phrases, playing language games, singing Spanish songs, investigating Hispanic Culture, and much more! Basically, it’s a mix of language practice, cultural exploration, and fun activities that make Spanish come alive!
Spelling Bee Competition Club - Advisor Nancy Przybyl Brown
Crossword puzzles, word searches, and games like Bananagrams, Scrabble, and Hangman (or Snowman) are perfect activities for students who want a fun way to play with words and spelling. Students will practice on the Word Club app and hold regular spell-downs to expand their vocabulary and prepare for the Spelling Bee in the second semester.
STEM Art Club - Advisor: Rebecca Mulwee
Students in the STEM art Club will participate in STEAM building projects, Science and Art experiments, engineering design challenges, and build a deeper understanding of the math involved in art. Students who are interested in maker-style crafting or real-world STEAM projects will enjoy this interactive club!
Story Writers Club - Advisor: Geme Al P. Comecilla
Students who imagine new worlds, dream up characters, or think of adventures that haven’t been written yet will enjoy the Story Writers Club! Here, students compose their own stories, share ideas with friends, and learn fun ways to make their writing more exciting. It’s not about grades or homework—it’s about unleashing imagination, building confidence, and having fun while writing.
Student Podcast Club - Advisor: Melissa Berkley
Students collaborate to create their own podcast. They will learn about the various types of podcasts and determine style and formatting based on their individual interests and the overall outcome they want to achieve. They will learn storytelling techniques such as establishing tone and mood, interview strategies, how to edit, storyboard, host, and produce their podcast, along with recording techniques and the implementation of sound, and how to incorporate music to create a final product that will be submitted to NPR for the NPR Student Podcast Challenge.
Theater Club - Advisor: Sarah Brogden
Theater club students engage in a variety of creative and collaborative activities designed to build confidence, teamwork, and performance skills. Activities can include acting and improvisation, reading and performing scripts, learning stage skills, voice and speech exercises, and participation in creative storytelling.
Yearbook Club - Advisor: Stephanie Wray
The Yearbook Club at Activ8 Stem Academy allows students to take the lead as they capture our school’s unforgettable moments! Students unleash their creativity, hone their photography skills, and collaborate with friends to create a vibrant keepsake that celebrates both achievements and memories.