Abu Dhabi: Children can once again undertake a host of educational activities while also having lots of fun when the Abu Dhabi Science Festival once again gets under way this November.
The fourth edition of the popular event will be held for 10 days at the East Plaza on Abu Dhabi Corniche. For the first time, there will also be permanent venues at Al Ain Zoo and Sharjah’s Al Majaz Waterfront, officials from the Technology Development Committee (TDC) announced in the capital today (September 28).
“Science, technology and innovation are the core to our nation’s future as a knowledge-based economy, and it is vital that we inspire our young people to pursue careers in these fields. Festivals like ours are the global best practice to popularise science, and the success of the event in previous years proves that there is a thirst for knowledge in the UAE,” said Ahmad Al Calily, director-general of the TDC.
The festival will run from November 13 to 22, and will cater to children between the ages of 5 and 15. In order to keep young minds engaged, 60 per cent of the exhibits in the capital will be new. Favourite activities, on the other hand, will return to venues outside the capital.
As in the past, 1,000 students from 13 universities will participate as Science Communicators, and explain the science behind various displays to visitors. They will be trained before the start of the festival.
For the first time, 20 activities are also being organised by local companies, said Linda Silver, associate director for content, science and technology promotion at the TDC.
“These will mainly consist of activities that parents can design at home for their children, or be related to industries that are prevalent in the UAE. In addition, the expansion of the event to Sharjah will make it easier for children from neighbouring emirates to visit,” Silver explained.
Organisers said that ticket prices will be announced shortly, although certain activities will be available free of charge.
The festival will be held under the patronage of General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
