Most academic extracurricular activities are competition clubs.
An extracurricular activity refers to a club, event or group that takes place outside of the required school curriculum. That is, an extracurricular activity is voluntary and is participated in outside of school hours. Academic extracurricular activities are usually participated in by students who have a keen interest in the subject matter or who desire additional academic prowess for a resume or college application.
Model United Nations
Model United Nations (MUN) is an internationally recognized academic event held all over the world. MUN teaches students about the United Nations, current events, the global community and diplomacy. Many high schools and universities have MUN clubs that meet regularly after school to research, practice and organize events. The culminating event of MUN is a conference, usually held at a University or other internationally recognized location, where MUN members representing a designated country role-play sessions of the United Nations. Prominent MUN conferences around the world include the Hague International, North American Invitational (sponsored by Georgetown University) and the Student's League of Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.
National History Day
National History Day is a competition for students of either public or private school from grades six through 12 concerning a designated theme in history. Many schools offer History Day "clubs" or assistance information concerning the event. Competitors enter a research project either in the form of a paper, display, documentary or performance based on a particular theme such as "revolution and reform." Competitors must present their project to a panel of judges first at a regional competition, followed by state and national competitions if they advance. If a school does not have an NHD club, speak with a history or English language teacher for advice and assistance on starting one or going at it solo.
Mock Trial and Moot Court
Mock Trial clubs exist at the middle school, high school and college levels. Mock Trial simulates an actual lower court hearing with attention to procedure, discourse and role practice in the courtroom. Moot Court club is generally reserved for college level students and focuses on simulating appellate court cases. These clubs offer practice and insight into the goings-on inside of a courtroom, allowing students to gauge the possibility of entering into law school. There are many national Mock Trial and Moot Court conferences and competitions for which many clubs train.
Knowledge Masters
The Knowledge Master Open (KMO) is a computer-based competition between teams from different schools across the world, consisting of trivia-style questions on a variety of subjects. KMO is performed completely online, and there is no physical competition for the event. The contest covers subject areas of math, science, biology, literature, geography, history, arts, health and other, more minor categories. Clubs often gather to review practice questions. A KMO team can have any number of participants and is divided into three groups between grades five through 12.
Academic Decathlon
The U.S. Academic Decathlon is similar to Knowledge Masters in that it pits one team's academic knowledge against another. Each high school can have one team of nine members participate in the live competition first at the local, regional, state and then finally national competition (for those who advance). The competition is rigorous and requires detailed knowledge in the areas of math, literature, art, economics, speech, language, science, music and social science. School clubs generally practice regularly to prepare for the competitions.
Subject Clubs
Many schools have distinct subject clubs such as math club, astronomy club, debate club, politics club and various book clubs. The types of clubs offered at most schools depend on the availability and knowledge of advisers and student interest.
Tags: Mock Trial, United Nations, Moot Court, Academic Decathlon, areas math, extracurricular activities