Think science fair draws record numbers

Think Science Fair, one of the biggest events of its kind in the region, has attracted a record number of visitors as hundreds of young entrepreneurs, innovators and scientists displayed their innovative project proposals in areas including electrical engineering, non-conventional energy, smart and safety systems and sustainable energy.

Organised by Emirates Foundation, an independent philanthropic organisation set up by the Abu Dhabi Government to facilitate public-private partnerships for empowering youth across the UAE, the event saw more than 10 thousand visitors convene at the Dubai World Trade Centre from May 5-7, 2015.

The judging committee for the Think Science Competition made up of more than 52 scientific experts and professors from universities and private corporate entities have been reviewing and evaluating the students' projects to determine the winners at a ceremony, which is due to take place on May 25.

Think Science Fair was held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister and Chairman of Emirates Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Abu Dhabi Education Council.

During the event, Mohammed Hassan Omran Al Shamsi, Chairman of the Higher Colleges of Technology and a board member of the Foundation recognised the judges for their efforts and lauded the students' innovations. The fair was inaugurated by H.H. Sheikh Dhiab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Emirates Foundation board member.

He said, "I would like to express my gratitude to each and every member of the judging committee for lending their support and expertise to Think Science Fair. Over the past three days we have seen so many exciting innovative projects, which will undoubtedly make choosing a winner all the more difficult.

"The talented youth continue to innovate year after year and I look forward to seeing many of the projects displayed here becoming a reality in the near future."

More than 200 projects representing the work of more than 550 Emirati youth were displayed at the fair, which aims to encourage UAE youth from public and private schools and universities to participate in an innovative national level science competition. The participating projects have entered the competition under the guidance of 160 mentors and supervisors from educational institutions across the UAE.

Maytha Al Habsi, Chief Programmes Officer at Emirates Foundation praised the contestants adding that the future industrial growth of the UAE will be centred on science and technology.

"I am delighted by the huge number of youth who visited the fair over the past few days. This year's edition was distinguished by the quality of projects submitted in the competition.

"Furthermore, the increase in the number of partners taking part in Think Science Connect is an indication of the importance of this platform, which sheds light on the significance of science and technology in bridging the gap between the youth and the business sector.

"We are looking forward to seeing many new unique initiatives from the business sector to support the youth's inventions and we equally look forward to recognising the best of these projects on May 25."

The Think Science Fair comprises a huge exhibition of Emirati youths' innovations participating in the competition, and interactive hands-on activities in Science, Engineering, Oil and Gas, Energy, Aviation and Technology sectors showcased by leading companies and organisations from the science and technology fields.

This year, 14 of the participants at Think Science Fair have also been selected to compete in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in the United States, the world's largest high school science research competition.

Launched in September 2012, Think Science is an interactive programme aimed at sparking an interest in science among the Emirati youth. Targeted towards young people between the ages of 15 and 24, it aims to inspire, encourage and empower Emirati youth to follow their passion for science with interactive, hands-on activities in the fields of engineering, energy, aviation and other technological industries.

The Think Science Competition includes the schools competition that focuses on Applied Physics, Chemistry/Chemical Engineering, Environmental sciences and Management, Industrial and Mechanical Engineering, Energy, Safety systems, Smart Systems and Transportation. The universities competition is centred around three main categories: Energy and Electrical Systems, Smart industrial systems, and Applied Sciences and Engineering.

The fair also act as a platform to connect youth with experts through motivational sessions that focus on key areas in education and innovation. Discussion panels allow participants to hear from scientist who have made careers out their passion. There are also 37 companies, organisations and institutes at the fair to offer career advice to those in attendance.

The event will be a heightened engagement initiative connecting young people with a strategic scientific network. The Fair also offers individual companies, academia and government institutions the opportunity to showcase their work and connect directly with UAE youth.

Think Science comprises three interrelated projects designed to help realise the potential of the UAE youth in the field of science – Think Science Competition, Think Science Connect and Think Science Ambassadors.

The Think Science competition was launched in October 2012 by Emirates Foundation as part of its Think Science programme, which aims to motivate, encourage and empower Emirati youth to consider a career in the science sector. Think Science Connect is a platform for young people to meet with leaders and prominent figures from various scientific sectors while Think Science Ambassadors aims to provide youth with that critical spark by introducing them to role models in the field.

Think Science Ambassadors aims to provide youth with that critical spark by introducing youth to role models in the field, connecting them with mentors, and exposing youth to different extracurricular activities in science.