The power of science on show
abu dhabi — Schools across the UAE were out in numbers at the Umm Al Emarat Park as the Abu Dhabi Science Festival started on Thursday.
The 10-day festival was inaugurated by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council chairman, Shaikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development.
The festival, held with the aim to promote science education, has loads of activities for young minds to try out. On day one, it was mostly students from lower grades that thronged the park.
The many workshops are held to inspire students to study Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (Stem) subjects. Among the many workshops is ‘Power of Engineering’ where students can discover the secrets of the trade. Students can create their own circuits as they are introduced to electrical engineering at ‘Little Electricity’. Students took particular liking to ‘Robot Inventor’, Lego Robot Stars and LED kites zone.
Afaf Al Mansoori from Al Ekhlass Private School in Baniyas was a happy teacher. “I am proud of my students. I see them turning into ‘architects’ or ‘engineers’. They are enjoying their time but learning too.”
Education is fundamental to this vision and it is our priority to equip our young people for the global challenges that await them as they play an increasingly pivotal role in shaping the country’s economy.” Dr Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, Adec director-general
Hundreds of higher education students are there to support the many zones as science communicators.
“Such events help me to know in which field I am more interested. There are so many different sections to look at,” said Salim Mohammed of Grade VI.
Organised by the Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec), the festival is also underway at the Al Ain Zoo.
Adec director-general Dr Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi said the fest, in line with Abu Dhabi 2030 Vision, supports the government’s aim to develop human capital in the science and technology sectors by building an innovative generation of scientists, engineers and doctors.
“Education is fundamental to this vision and it is our priority to equip our young people for the global challenges that await them as they play an increasingly pivotal role in shaping the country’s economy.”
The fest is held under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
The beauty of the festival is the variety on offer. One can know about the underwater animal and plants at ‘Secret Life of Coral’ and also get a peek into the outer space at ‘Secrets of Space’ in the Digital Planetarium. There is also ‘Bubbles Workshop’ – a fun engagement for one and all.
The festival runs till November 26. — ashwani@khaleejtimes.com