Following the completion of their three-month journey at Qatar University’s (QU) Al-Bairaq program, 112 preparatory and secondary students presented 29 projects and ideas at the Research and Innovation Conference held at QU’s Ibn Khaldoon Hall. The conference was designed as an educational research platform that allows students the experience of participating in scientific competitions and conferences and prepares them effectively.
Al-Bairaq is a non-traditional educational project of QU, in which students at Qatari secondary school work in teams with highly exquisite university-level scientists on practical scientific problems in authentic contexts.
A panel of judges attended the conference from national and international companies, and a large number of guests for different institutions and organizations. The cycle, which is sponsored by the Ras Laffan Industrial City Community Outreach Program, aims to increase the number of participating schools located in the north of the country. It also aims to provide an opportunity for students of these areas the experience of learning following the STEAM curriculum, which develops skills and thinking by integrating science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics in a united framework to acquire knowledge.
Students of this cycle participated in workshops at their respective school laboratories, where they performed scientific experiments, learned through discovery and practice and engaged in stimulated discussions. The students exhibited much motivation and enthusiasm for Al-Bairaq’s unique approach to teaching.
At the conference, all the participating groups presented a product or a project idea as an application of what they learned during the workshop, to provide scientific solutions to one of the problems in the fields of industry, environment or the community. The groups also presented a presentation and a scientific poster in which they demonstrated the skills of communication and presentation of scientific projects.
Mr. Rashid Mubarak Al Nuaimi, Principal of Al Zubara Primary Preparatory Secondary School for Boys, expressed his satisfaction with the impact that the Al-Bairaq cycle had on the students, and their outstanding achievement and performance during the workshops. The school administration issued their appreciation for the programs efforts in expanding student perceptions through modern educational methods.
President of Al Bairaq Program and Head of Communication and Outreach at QU, Dr. Noora Jabor Al-Thani expressed her pride in the great achievements made during this cycle and the ideas and projects presented during the final event ceremony. She also praised the great perseverance, commitment and love of learning and knowledge experienced by students from the northern areas.
Following the completion of the ceremony, the winning groups were honored: First place went to the ‘Al-Raya’ group from the Qatar School of Science and Technology; second place went to the ‘Scientists’ group from Abdullah Bin Ali Al Misnad Secondary School; third place to ‘Professors’ group from Al-Zubara Secondary Schools for Boys.
Winner of best poster went to ‘Al-Majd’ group from Abdullah Bin Ali Al Misnad Secondary School; winner of the art of science competition went to ‘Nebula group’ from Qatar School of Science and Technology; winner of the most active group on social media went to the ‘Scientists’ group from Abdullah Bin Ali Al Misnad Secondary School; winner of most popular group on social media went to ‘Genius’ group’ from Al-Zubara Secondary Schools for Boys; winner of best Instagram was the ‘Al-Raya’ group from the Qatar School of Science and Technology.
For preparatory schools, winners were ‘Professionals’ from Abdullah Bin Ali Al Misnad Independent Preparatory School, ‘Scientists from the Future’ from Al-Zubara Preparatory School for Boys. Winner of the Instagram category is the ‘Genius’ group from Al-Zubara Preparatory School for Boys.