Qatar University Young Scientists Center concluded the eighth cycle of the “I am Discovering Materials” program for primary and preparatory level students on 7 February. The ceremony was held as part of the research and innovation conference that was organized in the Research Complex at Qatar University. Over 400 students from 14 different schools participated in the program that was launched at the beginning of January. The participating schools were Ibn Khaldoun Preparatory School for boys, Maria Al-Qibtiya Preparatory School for Girls, Al-Khor Preparatory School for Girls, Al-Khor Model School for Boys, Institute of Religious Studies Preparatorybfor Boys, Al-Khor Primary School and Kindergarten for Girls, Hind Bint Amro Al-Ansaria Preparatory School for Girls, Barzan Preparatory School for Girls, Osama Bin Zaid Preparatory School for Boys, Hamzah Bin Abdul Muttalib Preparatory School, Moza Bint Mohammad Preparatory School for Girls, Garnata Preparatory School for Girls, Zainab Preparatory School for Girls and Abdullah Bin Jassim Al Thani Model School for Boys.
The “I am Discovering Materials” program aims to introduce students to different types of materials through STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) activities. Students learn about different scientific terms and concepts of various chemical and physical materials through practical experiments and interactive activities during workshops based on the STEM curriculum. Students are also encouraged to innovate, design ideas and solutions, and build innovative projects. In addition, they are introduced to experimenting, developing their products, analyzing, and comparing the results of their practical experiments. All participating groups in each school were judged to select the best innovative project to represent the school in the research and innovation conference.
During the conference, the groups competed by presenting their innovative projects and scientific posters that documented their journey through the program’s workshops. The students presented their ideas and projects to a group of professional judges from major companies in Qatar. At the end of the conference, the results were announced and the first three place winners in each category were honored. The first-place winner from the preparatory level was Al-Khor Preparatory School for Girls. The second-place winner was the Institute of Religious Studies Preparatory School for Boys and the third-place winner was Maria Al-Qibtiya Preparatory School for Girls. From the primary schools, Al Khor Model School for Boys bagged first place. The second-place winner in the same category was Abdullah Bin Jassim Model School for Boys, while Al Khor Primary School for Girls came in third.
Prof. Noora Al-Thani, Director of Qatar University Young Scientists Center, noted that introducing young students to various materials and their practical application during their school years can foster scientific interest and their problem-solving skills. This would prepare the students to become effective and influential members of society.
Source: Qatar University
