42 secondary schools in Qatar set to participate in 2nd Qatar steam fair

The second Qatar Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and Art Fair (Qatar STEAM), organised by Qatar Foundation Research & Development (QF R&D), is set to take place from 8^th to 10^th March 2016 at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC).

A total of 401 entrants, 65 per cent of which are Qataris, will compete in the Fair, which is being held in collaboration with Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF), a globally renowned scientific research funding organisation and member of QF R&D, and the Supreme Education Council (SEC).

By playing host to the Fair, QF R&D is helping to fulfil Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development’s (QF) mission to build and develop capacity for creativity and critical thinking through research in education and science.

Furthermore, as Qatar STEAM aims to facilitate an environment in which the nation’s young scientists can thrive by developing solutions to real-life problems, the competition also supports the Qatar National Vision 2030 (QNV2030) and the Qatar National Research Strategy (QNRS).

At the close of registration on 15^th November, 220 projects from 42 secondary schools had registered to participate in the nationwide competition. Participating teams or individuals will present their projects to a judging panel over the course of the two-day competition.

The eight project categories include Computing, Biomedicine, Mathematics & Physics, Basic Sciences, Engineering, Chemistry, Energy, and Behavioural & Social Sciences.

During the build up to the competition, project assistance will be made available to students and teachers of registered projects. Through the Mentor Programme, students and teachers will be assigned an expert to assist in the execution of their projects. In addition, information sessions and workshops will be held to offer project support.

Dr Hamad Al Ibrahim, Executive Vice President of Research and Development at Qatar Foundation, said: “The inaugural Qatar STEAM Fair was a tremendous success and we continue to build on that success. The number of teams that have entered to participate in the second Fair indicates a growing interest in scientific research among the country’s youth. The competition will not only help students develop their research skills and overall academic development, but also encourage them to conduct comprehensive research further on in their academic and professional careers.”

The eight winning teams from the inaugural Fair, held earlier this year in March, are set to represent Qatar at the 6^th Intel International Science Competition Arab World taking place in Alexandria, Egypt from 17^th to 19^th December 2015. The Qatari team will compete in the Computing, Energy, Chemistry, and Behavioural & Social Sciences categories.