Science clubs enable stimulating, personal science to reach out to individual students and can provide encouraging experiences beyond those available in the classroom. They also provide repeated contact to reinforce positive attitudes and knowledge.

Science clubs can range from single classes to large national organizations. They can also support science through national experiments and at open days at science laboratories.

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization's Double Helix Science Club has grown rapidly over 5 years to become a major concern in Australia with a membership of over 16,000 and a magazine distribution approaching 30,000. It has also provided an effective vehicle for many teachers looking to foster a greater interest in science. Non-school bodies such as tertiary institutions, museums and public science centres also use the infrastructure to provide local science experiences and to create a link with the community.