Children get hands-on for Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week

ABU DHABI // Children will build solar-powered cars and learn how to run an environmentally sustainable home in activities planned for Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.

Thirty schools have been given kits to help pupils aged 12 to 15 to build the cars while absorbing lessons on energy efficiency. Qualifying teams will enter a 25-metre race.

Ten teams from each school will also create a sustainable home for a family of five incorporating energy and water conservation and using sustainable building material.

Life-sized sustainability board games have also been supplied for school playgrounds. Teachers have received manuals with tips for the in-school projects.

The initiative aims to build awareness and motivate young people to consider a career in sustainability. “We are hoping that through hands-on learning experiences, this will increase youth awareness of sustainability and their curiosity to innovate for a sustainable future,” said Dr Nawal Al Hosany, director of sustainability at Masdar and director of the Zayed Future Energy Prize.

“It is important to help young people to understand what sustainability is and how it can positively impact their society.”

The activities were designed to strike a balance between relevance, education and fun to engage young people, said Nadine Hassan, head of social development and partnerships at Mubadala, the Abu Dhabi government investment company.

“The projects seek to advance students’ critical thinking and provide practical learning in mathematics and scientific investigation, while increasing their awareness of a critical issue such as sustainability.”

Sustainability Week takes place from Janauray 17-24, and the winners of the solar challenge and model home projects will be announced on January 24 at the Masdar Festival.