Making science fun

Grade 10 students from Qatar Academy for Science and Technology helped children at WISE’s Doha Learning Days dive headfirst into the wonderful world of STEM, during an interactive workshop combining science and fun.

The session saw the students present an interactive lesson to young boys and girls, which included bursting a glitter-filled balloon to demonstrate how quickly germs can spread when you sneeze.

The aspiring scientists from Qatar Academy for Science and Technology (QAST) then carried out a glow-germ simulation and a UV light to show participants how important it is for people to wash their hands thoroughly.

Haiqa Masoodi, one of the student teachers, said: “What I really liked about today, where I was teaching children about bacteria, was that it was really engaging.

“I had a lot of fun interacting with the participants; I even got them up and got them to come up to the screens. What I really like about QAST is that is gives me these opportunities that I wouldn’t get from other schools.”

Salwa Al Kuwari, another QAST student teacher, said: “Today we explained a project that we’d worked on for about two months, about superbugs and bacteria, to little kids. We used fun activities so they would understand it.

“For example, we had an activity with a balloon that contained glitter to show how germs spread when sneezing, and we also taught them the correct way to wash their hands to prevent the spread of germs and bacteria. This was a great way for little kids to understand big terms, like bacteria, through interactive activities.”

Ali Al Kuwari, also a student from QAST, said: “I really enjoyed this teaching experience with the kids, I got to go outside and interact with other people, and learn teaching communication skills, which will help me a lot in the future.”

QAST, part of Qatar Foundation's Pre-University Education (PUE), is designed to develop Qatar's next generation of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics innovators. The school aims to develop the academic and practical hands-on skills of students to conduct scientific research projects, and, ultimately, help solve some of Qatar’s most pressing issues.

WISE’s Doha Learning Days was held in the lead up to the 2019 WISE Summit, which will convene under the theme UnLearn, ReLearn: What it means to be Human from November 19-21 at Qatar National Convention Centre.

For more information, please visit: www.wise-qatar.org