Abu Dhabi Science Festival 2016 inaugurated

The award-winning festival is held under the patronage of  Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

The fun-packed and educational event, held over 10 spectacular days at the family-friendly Umm Al Emarat Park in Abu Dhabi and at the Al Ain Zoo in Al Ain, offers a vast array of exciting and stimulating workshops and activities designed to inspire youngsters to study Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects at school.

During his tour at Umm Al Emarat Park,  Sheikh Nahyan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited many exciting workshops where he shared youngsters their excitement and built a robot at the ‘Robot Inventor’.  He also watched kids interacting at “Lego Robot Stars” workshop as they were learning about robots and coding using a Lego WeDo kit. In addition, to watching the local show “Iftah Ya Simsim” which aims at to encouraging children to adopt healthy lifestyles through a live show full of fun and edutainment.

Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, Director General of ADEC added: “I would like to thank HH Sheikh Nahyan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan for opening the six edition of the Abu Dhabi Science Festival. In line with Abu Dhabi 2030 Vision, ADSF supports the government’s aim to develop human capital in the science and technology sectors by building an innovative generation of scientists, engineers and doctors. Education is fundamental to this vision and it is our priority to equip our young people for the global challenges that await them as they play an increasingly pivotal role in shaping the country’s economy. In addition, ADSF both complements the school science curriculum and helps to consolidate ADEC’s key learning objectives for STEM education.”

As Presenting Sponsor, Dolphin Energy will be running a highly interactive activation program during the event. Activities will take place at its purpose built experience centre which comprises five laboratories that focus on hydraulics, solar and water power, a science theatre and conductor materials. The company is also sponsoring the Secret Life of Coral where visitors can discover the kind of animals and plants that thrive underwater in a coral reef.

Chief Executive Officer of Dolphin Energy Limited, Mr Adel Ahmed Albuainain, said: “We are honored to support ADSF once again and continue our mission to encourage youth engagement in STEM subjects. Science, technology and innovation lie at the heart of everything we do at Dolphin Energy and our activation program reflects this. I am sure those participating in our workshops will be inspired and enjoy the activities we have on offer. We’re looking forward to another successful event.”

Dr. Yousif Al Sheryani, Acting Executive Director of Planning and Strategic Affairs Office at the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) and Advisor at the Director General’s Office, commented: “ADSF’s mission is to inspire our youth and encourage their curiosity and interest towards science and technology. As a reflection of this aim, the programme has grown by 20% with significantly more drop-in activities and new workshops and shows at the Al Ain Zoo, making learning science even more enjoyable and accessible to the whole family. ADEC continues to work closely with distinguished partners from across the UAE bringing government entities, industry leaders and academia together to inspire the nation’s youth via popular community events such as the ADSF”.

Eng. Sanad Humaid Ahmed, Chairman of the Innovation Committee and Acting Division Manager- Knowledge Management Division at ADEC said: “Innovation has become a priority in the UAE. For this reason, we ensured that the event, which is part of the UAE Innovation week, covers a range of topics from the natural world to space science. The ADSF’s content is delivered engagingly through fun activities and interactive workshops that build science, technology and innovation interest and learning. The event will feature 67 activities in total – up from last year’s 56 where local suppliers provide 40% of the content this year adding cultural relevance to the visitor’s experience”.

Science festivals are a global best-practice format of science engagement which have been proven to stimulate youngsters into looking at the world through more inquisitive eyes and supporting their learning development.

More than 900 higher education students, including ADSF alumni have been recruited locally to support the event and trained as science communicators by world-class experts to deliver workshops and shows in a lively and engaging manner.

The festival is organized by the Abu Dhabi Education Council in partnership with Dolphin Energy as “Presenting Sponsor”, Mubadala and Emirates Transport as “Affiliate Sponsors”, Abu Dhabi Media Company as “Exclusive Media Partner”, Yas Mall as “Mall Partner”, Al Ain Zoo as Location Partner-Al Ain and Umm El Emarat Park as Location Partner-Abu Dhabi.

A full schedule of events is available at www.abudhabisciencefestival.ae and participants can join the ADSF’s social media platforms on Twitter and Instagram: @adsciencefest and on Facebook: Abu Dhabi Science Festival.