Fostering 21st-Century Competencies: The Impact of After-School Activities
The aim of my research was to examine the impact of extracurricular activities on the development of students’ competencies (creativity, critical thinking, teamwork, digital and scientific literacy) and their motivation for learning. The study used a quantitative method with anonymous questionnaires (16 questions) for students from grades 6–9. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics to show students’ attitudes, the time spent in activities, and the impact on regular school obligations. Results showed that 72% of students participate to learn something new, 55% to develop their personal talents, and 68% believe that the activities positively affect their time management and academic performance. The most frequently developed skills are communication, teamwork, creativity, and responsibility. 80% of students reported full parental support for participation. Key projects with proven success include: Eratosthenes Experiment (STEM, European Quality Label), Ecological Citize...