ABU DHABI // Schoolchildren could win a share of Dh1 million by entering a new science fair and competition launched by the Abu Dhabi Education Council on Monday.
Young Scientist Abu Dhabi is modelled after Ireland’s long-standing Young Scientist Exhibition, which was started by two physics researchers 52 years ago to enthuse youngsters about science and technology.
Abu Dhabi has become the first Arab city to partner with the Irish exhibition.
“What we wanted to do was try to get them to think about science in a different way – that science isn’t actually constrained by the classroom, by the curriculum,” said Dr Tony Scott, co-founder of the Young Scientist in Ireland, who was attending the launch of the Abu Dhabi exhibition. “Science is all outside them and all they have to do is to ask two simple questions: why does something work or how does something work?”
Young Scientist Abu Dhabi is open to pupils from Grades 3 to 12 and consists of three parts in both public and private schools.
It involves a non-competitive science fair for pupils in Grades 3 to 5, a competition for pupils in Grades 6 to 12, and a technology exhibition in which science and high-tech companies will be invited to showcase their latest developments.
To enter, schoolchildren must submit a one-page proposal outlining their idea for the project by January 28.
A panel of judges comprising university professors will decide which projects can advance to the competition stage, which will be held from May 10 to 12.
Seventy-six winners will be awarded monetary prizes. One competitor will be named the best young scientist and take home Dh100,000 in prize money.
The best individual or group entry will win Dh70,000 and two awards, each valued at Dh55,000, will be given to two runners-up.
The remainder of the prize money will be distributed among the remaining winners, project manager Dr Najla Al Naqbi said.
rpennington@thenational.ae
