As part of its interest in attracting students to explore the study of sports science and theories, Qatar University’s (QU) Young Scientists Center (YSC) launches the ninth cycle of its successful Science in Sports program, which follows the STEM curriculum for education in an innovative framework. The program increases students’ efficiency and understanding and introduces them to scientific fields such as sports engineering, and sports materials science and their impact on sports equipment and players' efficiency.
The ninth cycle of the program includes the following secondary schools: Omar bin Al Khattab Secondary School for Boys, Musab bin Omair Secondary Independent School for Boys, Hassan bin Thabet Secondary School for Boys, Hamad bin Abdullah Secondary School for Boys, Al Shamal Secondary School for Boys, Dukhan Secondary School for Boys and Al-Hayat International School.
The participating students participated in scientific workshops and practical activities in which they learned about important physical concepts, theories, and laws for choosing the materials used in the design of balls and sports equipment, in addition to studying the design of stadiums and sports facilities and the importance of research in developing them to ensure high efficiency for players.
Students work collectively in groups, where they will compete in a final competition to design an innovative football with new tools that improve its qualities. QU professors and members of the Qatar Olympic Committee will evaluate all participants.
The program also introduced a technology track to teach students the basics of programming in different languages and new scientific trends to be applied in creating programs and applications in the sports field. Several schools participated in this track such as the Mesaieed Secondary School for Boys, Zubaida School for Girls and Al-Jazeera Academy for Boys. The participants will be evaluated as well at a final competition, which will also be held at QU.
Prof. Noora Al-Thani, Director of the Young Scientists Center said, “The interest in sports contributes to the progress and building of societies in a way that stimulates all aspects of society and encourages them to innovate in a new scope. In order to improve and develop sports, institutions and research centers must publish and support scientific studies related to sports. Therefore the center has dedicated a program to provide young people with the scientific knowledge and skills necessary to achieve leadership and innovation in the development of the sports sector, which has a fundamental and effective impact on the country’s renaissance.”