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Emirates Foundation Announces Second UAE Schools Science Fair |
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Eager and gifted science students from across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi are scouring text books for innovative ideas which could earn them valuable prizes as winners of the Emirates Foundation’s second Science Fair. All public and private high schools have been invited by the Foundation, assisted by Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) and with the support of the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA ), to submit proposals for innovative science projects to be displayed at the fair in May 2011. The competition requires them to develop and apply innovations in one of the major science fields of biology, chemistry, physics or geology. Potential participants, this morning attended a workshop for the competition. The students, in grades grade 9-12, were introduced to the event’s concept and taught how to choose their project and implement it according to the terms of the competition. Organisers also gave a run down on the criterion of selecting winning projects, Last year’s winners, whose projects included a solar robot and ideas on how to use seaweed as a source of energy, were awarded a trip to London to visit the London Science Museum. The project is intended to engage and inspire all students while challenging gifted students to think creatively and independently, Dr. Abdullah Ismail Abdullah, Senior Advisor to the Foundation’s Science, Technology and Environment programme told workshop attendees. Dr Abdullah said the success of the first Science Fair had inspired the Foundation to expand the project. "The first edition saw the participation of 375 students from 23 schools in Abu Dhabi who submitted 125 projects," he explained. "This year’s edition will reach out to at least 40 schools in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, which includes the Western Region and Al Ain." The Science Fair is arranged in two stages: Stage 1 (School Level): teams of up to three students, including at least one national will compete internally. The winning team from each school will be awarded prizes and be eligible to compete against other schools at the Regional Level competition. Stage 2 (Regional Level): the outstanding teams from each school will compete in the final stage of the science fair, and the best five teams will receive valuable prizes. Mohammed Salem Al Dhaheri, Executive Director of Operations at ADEC recognized the Foundation’s efforts to developing education in the UAE. "Such initiatives generate innovation skills of students, which is a priority to our leadership," Mr Al Dhaheri noted. Spokesperson from ADWEA said the authority was proud to partner with the Foundation on the project, assuring ADWEA’s commitment towards helping create a generation of Emirati youth who are fully aware of the importance of science, engineering and industrial activities towards the continuous development of our country.
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