Abstract

This paper presents a case study on the effectiveness of an extracurricular STEM club model at Thai Nguyen High School for the Gifted, Vietnam. Amidst a national push for educational reform, this study investigates how a specialized, project-based club serves as a vehicle for implementing modern STEM pedagogy. Using a mixed-methods approach, a survey was administered to 42 student members to quantitatively assess their perceptions of the club's activities and its impact on their competency development. The findings reveal a highly positive evaluation of the club's practical, technology-rich content and its supportive learning environment, which is significantly enhanced by a strategic partnership with local university experts. The most notable result is the students' self-reported improvement in 21st-century skills, with critical thinking and problem-solving abilities showing the most significant gains (M = 4.24 on a 5-point Likert scale). The study concludes that the STEM club is a highly effective model, successfully translating a well-structured program and strong mentorship into tangible student competencies. This research provides valuable empirical evidence for the efficacy of extracurricular clubs as a powerful tool for STEM education in the Vietnamese context.