ABU DHABI // T-minus 23 days. The countdown is officially on for the launch of the Abu Dhabi Science Festival.
The sixth edition of the popular carnival that introduces children to science, technology and engineering concepts through creative, interactive workshops, exhibits and stage shows, will blast into Umm Al Emarat Park and Al Ain Zoo from November 17 to 26.
“This festival aims to create a culture among our children about science and technology and to encourage them to be more interested in science,” said Dr Ali Al Nuaimi, director general of the Abu Dhabi Education Council, the festival’s organiser. “Believe me, this can provoke them to become scientists of the future.”
Dr Al Nuaimi said the festival is one of many initiatives by Adec to transform UAE youth from “consumers of sciences to producers of sciences”.
The number of hands-on, drop-in activities at the festival this year will increase to 67 to meet demand, said Sanad Humaid Ahmed, acting division manager of knowledge management for Adec.
“We are expecting 10 per cent more visitors, so between 120,000 and 140,000 this year,” Mr Ahmed said. “Also, students from schools, we’re expecting 35 per cent more this year. They have booked their trips already.”
The festival is open to children aged 5 to 12. Many of the new activities also encourage family involvement, organisers said.
Crowd favourites such as the Secret Life of Corals and Dig Up A Dinosaur will return this year at Al Ain Zoo.
“Participants can uncover bones from when the dinosaurs ruled the Earth millions of years ago and can use some of the tools that paleontologists use in the field,” Mr Ahmed said. “I’m sure many people will be happy to see the return of the Secret Life of Coral, Blood Lab and Animal Agents workshops at Al Ain Zoo. Another big attraction will be a chance to build a robot and learn how to program and control it to avoid obstacles.”
Umm Al Emarat Park will host activities such as a digital playground, smart science zone, coding zone and a light show.
More than 40 per cent of the festival’s content will be provided by UAE-based companies and organisations. Adel Ahmed Albuainain, chief executive of Dolphin Energy, which sponsors several festival activities said it was important for local companies to encourage youth to get involved in science, technology, engineering and maths.
“We have a kind of saturation in administrative careers and we want more of the science and technology positions and jobs,” Mr Albuainain said.
“The power of the Abu Dhabi Science Festival is how it inspires the young because we need them to explore their skills and strengthen their capabilities and explore which tools and which skills they possess. This festival gives the person the opportunity to think about what role they can play in society.”
The festival will be open at Umm Al Emarat Park from 4pm to 9pm, Sunday to Wednesday, from 4pm to 10pm on Thursday and 2pm to 10pm on Friday and Saturday. At Al Ain Zoo times are 4pm-9pm Sunday to Thursday, 2pm-10pm Friday and 2pm- 9pm Saturday.
For information, visit abudhabisciencefestival.ae.
rpennington@thenational.ae
