How ORCA Clubs Support STEAM Learning in an Oregon Online School
A common concern for parents researching Oregon online school options is that their kids will miss out on the extracurricular activities that are part of a traditional classroom experience. At Oregon Charter Academy, students can take part in a wide range of clubs that extend learning beyond the virtual classroom, including those tied to science, technology, engineering, art, and math.
Over the last twenty years, we’ve developed a robust slate of student-driven online school clubs designed to extend learning beyond our virtual classrooms. Last year, ORCA students had the option to join nearly 60 extracurricular clubs. Here, we'll highlight five that bring science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) learning to life for ORCA students.
Why ORCA Clubs Matter for Online Learners
Oregon online school students enjoy many benefits from their virtual learning experiences, including more flexibility and increased safety. However, families may still wonder how students build friendships, explore interests, and engage in activities outside daily coursework. Clubs, for example, offer students an opportunity to build connections and community with their peers.
At ORCA, our clubs are a core component of shared school culture. They’re student-driven, meaning ORCA students develop new club ideas, propose them to school leadership, and then can help facilitate with a faculty advisor. We offer online school clubs for every age group, including dedicated clubs for elementary, middle, and high school students, as well as a few clubs open to all ages.
ORCA clubs also serve to connect students around shared interests while building real-world skills alongside academics. STEAM learning clubs are an excellent example of how our approach to extracurriculars provides our students with opportunities to explore their interests, connect with their peers, and gain valuable experience.
Science Olympiad: Competing in STEAM
Science Olympiad puts STEAM learning into competitive practice, with students in grades 6-12 participating in a national science competition. Students prepare for written and engineering-based events in groups of two or three at the state competition each spring.
Because the competition blends science knowledge, engineering design, teamwork, and problem-solving, it gives students a chance to apply what they are learning in a more active and collaborative way.
Preparation for the state competition occurs through virtual and in-person sessions, enabling students to build friendships outside the classroom, exercise their critical thinking skills, develop resilience under pressure, and enjoy competing at the state level.
Survival Skills/Outdoors Club: Science Meets the Real World
Open to students in grades 4-12, the Survival Skills/Outdoors Club teaches kids how to stay safe while participating in their favorite outdoor activities. In this club, Oregon online school students share outdoor experiences and learn about survival topics, including:
What to pack for a hike or other outdoor activity
Map reading, compass skills, and mapping apps
How to treat water and what foods work well on the trail
Animals and plants in the wild
Weather forecasts and preparedness
Medical training and other certifications
Students who participate in this club enjoy unique STEAM learning experiences that connect strongly to biology, environmental science, and engineering. It is also a strong example of how online school clubs can connect academic concepts to real-world situations beyond the screen.
K-8 Coding Club: Building Skills for Tomorrow
One of our most popular online school clubs is our K-8 Coding Club. Participating students learn how to code using a variety of free platforms and coding languages to improve programming skills and interact with other students interested in computer science, coding, and game design.
But coding club isn't just about learning syntax. Students apply their STEAM skills as they learn to code in Python, Scratch, Blockly, JavaScript, and other programming languages. They can also complete optional lessons in the Computer Science Fundamentals and Computer Science Discoveries courses on the code.org platform. Along the way, club members share their projects, apps, mobile games, and other creations made using coding skills for other students to beta-test, debug, and comment on.
Music Club: Putting the “A” in STEAM
Music has always been closely intertwined with mathematics, and a robust musical education can support pattern recognition, creativity, collaboration, and the development of technical skills. ORCA’s Music Club provides students in grades 8-12 with an outlet to explore and create music.
Club members have access to SoundTrap, a web-based music production tool with a deep library of sample material. They also have the opportunity to collaborate with other members of Music Club through SoundTrap, live meetings, and discussions.
Music Club includes time for performances, where students can share projects they’ve been working on, and mini-lessons on subjects like music theory or genre history. The club also hosts virtual showcases at the end of each semester, open to the entire school community, and maintains a website featuring student recordings. It's a reminder that online school clubs can foster the same creative community as any other after-school program.
Prodigy Math Club: Making Math More Interactive
Our Prodigy Math Club is open to K-5 students who want to improve their math and teamwork skills while connecting with fellow math enthusiasts. The club meets twice a month over Zoom to play the math game Prodigy, while competing against other schools in Oregon.
For younger students, this club makes math feel more interactive, social, and approachable. It also helps students reinforce foundational math skills, build confidence, and connect with peers who enjoy the same kind of challenge.
Learn More About Clubs and Student Life at ORCA
If you’d like to learn more about how ORCA clubs support STEAM education in an online learning environment, plan to attend one of our virtual information sessions. Each week, our team holds open sessions for any parent who’d like to learn more about life at ORCA. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions, preview our learning platform, and meet members of our staff.
For families exploring Oregon online school, clubs are one of the many ways ORCA helps students build community, explore their interests, and take part in learning beyond the core curriculum. We’d love to show you what student life at ORCA can look like.