Qatar University's Young Scientists Center (QUYSC) once again takes center stage in the realm of innovative education. Known for its forward-thinking approach to integrating STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with modern pedagogical strategies, QUYSC continues to push boundaries and set benchmarks for educational excellence. These programs are constantly updated to align with modern education strategies, such as brainstorming, discovery learning, problem-solving, and other approaches, to enhance students' development of twenty-first-century skills, including critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving. The center also offers programs focused on technology and artificial intelligence to develop students' skills in these areas.
In its third cycle, the Engineering Education and Instructional Technologies (EEIT) conference provided QUYSC with a platform to showcase its pioneering work. Under the theme “Re-engineering the Future of Education: Resilience through Wellbeing,” the conference aimed to explore innovative teaching methodologies and their impact on student learning outcomes.
One of QUYSC's highlights at the EEIT conference was an interactive workshop titled “Empowering Education: Unleashing Skill Development with AI.” Led by experts from QUYSC, the workshop delved into the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in enhancing students' creativity and problem-solving abilities. The workshop focused on the latest educational methods based on artificial intelligence to enhance students' creativity. The workshop included numerous interactive activities using artificial intelligence, which greatly assist teachers in improving the effectiveness of teaching in an innovative and modern way and using artificial intelligence to create interactive and engaging content that meets the needs of students and creates a more effective learning environment, enhancing the learning experience for students.
Another significant contribution from QUYSC came in the form of a presentation titled “An Exploratory Study on the Effectiveness of a Workshop Based on the STEM Curriculum for Teaching Students with Hearing Disabilities.” This study aimed to explore the impact of applying a creative problem-solving approach to assessing students' STEM skills, as well as the workshop's impact on students' critical and creative thinking skills and effective communication. In addition, the center participated with a booth at the conference.
QUYSC's participation at the EEIT conference garnered widespread recognition, with notable attendees including Her Excellency Mrs. Buthaina Bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi, Minister of Education and Higher Education, and Dr. Omar Al Ansari, President of Qatar University. The center's booth attracted a diverse audience eager to learn about QUYSC's innovative initiatives and contributions to the field of education.
Prof. Noora Jabor Al-Thani, Director of QUYSC, underscored the pivotal role of technology and engineering in shaping the future of education. She emphasized the importance of equipping students with critical thinking skills and preparing them for careers in an increasingly technology-driven world. Prof. Al-Thani reaffirmed that these workshops help teachers stay informed about the latest developments in artificial intelligence and adapt their teaching methods to meet the needs of students in the 21st century. These workshops also enable teachers to harness the potential of artificial intelligence in education and create innovative learning environments that prepare students for a world that depends on artificial intelligence.