A fun way of learning science

Source: The Peninsula
Doha • Children aged between 8 and 12 will get the opportunity to learn science by transforming theories into joyful and fun games during the 10-day Science Education Event to be held at the City Center in May. the event is being organised as part of the ongoing "Ever Wondered" campaign spearheaded by the Supreme Education Council (SEC).

"The edutainment event will integrate the three essential science basics - Physics, Chemistry and Biology - into the fun lab and ensure the kids know how to connect electrical circuits; learn how the human body functions or understand the laws and phenomenon of nature, all in a fun and entertaining way", said Sabah Al Haidoos, Director, Education Institute, SEC at a press conference here yesterday.

The awareness campaign, which covers many aspects related to research, will focus on seven main arenas - Culture, Science, Geography, Art, Nature, Environment and Sports; and is aimed at triggering students’ curiosity and stimulate their investigative senses, and encouraging them to look for answers through research, she said.

Of late, the Education Institute established a number of training courses for students entitled Developing Young Researchers by a group of teachers. The hands-on training courses are held under the supervision of Dr. Mary Kellet, Chancellor at the Open University in the United Kingdom as well as Dr. Gene Jongsma, Coordinator of the Scientific Research Skills Development Project. The programme contains a series of 12 lessons to guide students on how to learn a variety of research principles, acquire inquiry skills, collect and analyse data and conduct research. As part of the course, students need to complete an independent research project, she said.

Al Haidoos said that Teachers at target schools will receive customized training in action research and have been mentored on how to start their own projects. Those attending the Advanced Curriculum Training workshops will receive introductory training in action research and are required to complete projects as part of their course requirements. Over 100 teachers are conducting research covering all disciplines, she said.

The Research Skills Development Project aims to enhance the critical thinking, problem solving, and investigative skills of students as well as improve teachers' skills and competencies in guiding student research and conducting their own professional research. The strategic initatives of the project includes development of critical thinking, problem solving, and research skills of students within the context of the Curriculum Standards in the Independent Schools, increasing the opportunities for students to engage in research outside the classroom, developing teachers who have the knowledge, skills, and disposition to engage in research to improve their teaching practices and their school communities and building of community support for research in the Independent Schools.

Professor Khalid Al Harqan, Assistant Director, Education Institute, Dr Nawal Al Sheikh, Communications Manager, SEC, Dr Gene Jongsma, Coordinator, Scientific Research Skills Development Project, Steven Patten, Education Advosor to the Educaiton Institute and Dr Ahmed Tibi, Professor of Pediatrics at Weill Cornell University were among others who were present.