The College of Science at United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) recently organized their first ‘Science Day’ under the theme of, ‘Science: Future and Sustainability’. ‘Science Day 2014’ was designed to introduce high school students, who are currently studying on the science stream, not only to the general importance of the sciences, but also to provide information regarding the academic programs and specialties offered by the College of Science. It was hoped that many of the nearly 500 high school students who attended would be inspired to enroll in the college.
Professor Peter W. Werner, Dean of the College of Science, inaugurated the 1st ‘Science Day’, in the presence of Dr. Ahmed Ali Murad, the Associate Dean and coordinator of the day’s events. Also in attendance were Dr. Ahmed Al Shamsi, Assistant Dean of Students Affairs, assistant deans in the College of Science, various heads of department, academic faculty and administrative staff. There were also a large number of students from the college, from the invited high schools, from the many sponsors of the event and other visitors.
There were many activities and exhibitions designed with both interactive and scientific goals in mind. These activities included specialized scientific exhibitions aimed at introducing the activities and programs of the various departments to the students. Students could become acquainted with certain scientific experiments and familiar with different scientific research models. There was also a poster display detailing the current research projects being undertaken by different departments in the college, as well as a display of the scientific devices used in the respective laboratories and an exhibition showing other scientific and practical experiments that students were involved in. In addition, there was a planetarium and models of other celestial bodies on display.
Visitors were treated to a display of skill from the dogs and handlers of the Police canine unit. Additionally, there were workshops on waste treatment, recycling and environmental conservation, as well as other lectures and workshops. These talks included one by Mr. Mohammed Abdullah Murad of the Decision-Making Support Center of the Dubai Police, and also a lecture by Major Khawla Busamrah from the Prosecutors Control Section of the Dubai Police.
The secondary school students in attendance participated in a Science and Math Marathon. Zayed School, represented by Abdullah Tayseer Hassan, Ashraf Mohamed Hussein, Khalifa Ahmed Al Otaiba, came first, while Al Raefah School were the second placed team. They were represented by Ahmed Kamal Abdel Rahman, Emad Mahmoud Ibrahim and Ahmed Mohammed Ghabayen. Third place went to Al Maqam School for Secondary Education who were ably represented by Mohammad Adil Muhammad, Sahib Mohammad Ali Al Kayed and Ahmed Mohamed Mubarak. The event was widely publicized and well received. Participation rates from science stream students in Abu Dhabi Education Council and Ministry of Education schools was excellent with a total number of 478 students taking part and enjoying a fun, rewarding, informative and educational day.