QU’s Young Scientists Center hosts workshops for elementary school students

Technology is one of the most important skills students must acquire in the 21st century, to develop a capable and adept generation. As a result, Qatar University’s Young Scientists Center (QU-YSC) works hard to develop the youth of Qatar in this area and recently hosted a range of workshops and activities targeting elementary school children.
Students in the 4th grade joined the YSC’s ‘problem-solving’ track, which is in its 8th cycle. This track focused mainly on students acquiring critical and creative thinking skills to solve various problems. Students worked on activities and applications related to forces, its types and effects.
The center also organized workshops and activities on information and communication technology (ICT) for 7th grade students. The ICT track, which is in its second cycle, focuses on teaching students programming skills and designing sensors throughout different activities and applications using an electronic smart sensors development board.
The YSC will hold a closing ceremony, where students will present their projects and winning projects can be rewarded. 54 students from four different schools in the Al-Shamal region of Qatar participated in these workshops.
Dr. Noora Jabor Al-Thani, Director of the YSC, said: "The diversity of these workshops enhances students' skills and encourages them to think creatively, solve problems, and gain different abilities that contribute to the creation of a new generation of creative leaders who are able to make decisions in different fields and sectors and achieve Qatar National Vision 2030."
Dr. Noora thanked the efforts of the sponsors and partners, Ras Laffan Industrial City Community Outreach Program, UNESCO Office in Doha and the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science.
Science and knowledge are one of the most important requirements of life and it is important to reach students from a young age to develop the spirit of innovation, critical thinking, creativity, teamwork and acquire diverse scientific skills.
The YSC follows the STEM methodology in the design and preparation of various workshops. STEM is an innovative learning system that combines the four core teaching materials: science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This system aims to promote education and prepare students to deal with modern practical reality, by designing activities based on dealing with real life situations and creative learning to solve problems.