Students Celebrate 150 Years of the Periodic Table

Young, aspiring scientists have celebrated the 150th anniversary of the Periodic Table, and it’s impact on today’s world, in a one-day event at Qatar National Library.

Organized by Science India Forum Qatar and Qatar Foundation (QF), the event brought together more by more than 150 students from schools across the county.

During the day, students heard from a number of researchers, including Dr. Essem Heggy, Chief Scientist, Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute, who spoke about the role India has played in exploring the Earth, moons, and planets in our solar system.

Dr. Hemant Pande, Vice President of the Association of Chemistry Teachers in Mumbai, inspired the children to consider how changes to the periodic table could impact life on Earth, while Dr. Gregory J Moncada from Qatar Academy for Science and Technology (QAST), encouraged attendees to dream big and pursue their passion for science.

Other activities included a quiz, led by eminent scholar Dr. Hemant Pande, Ex-Governing council member of Central India Research Institute and Ex-Project coordinator of Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, as well as an inter-school timed challenge to introduce the separate chemical elements. The joint winners of the challenge were QAST, MES Indian School Doha, and King’s College Doha.

The event culminated with an interactive science exhibition by the Engineering Road Show led by Dr. Mohamed Gharib, STEM Initiatives Program Coordinator at Texas A&M University at Qatar.

Cynthia Lynn Bolton, Head of Gifted Education, QF, was instrumental in supporting the event. “This was an exciting opportunity for students in Qatar to collaborate within a field they share a passion for,” she said.

“Qatar Foundation’s Gifted Education department is dedicated to providing unique and exciting educational avenues that engage students in opportunities to explore their interests, develop their talents, and make greater connections with the world. I am so proud of all of the students for their dedication and commitment to making it so successful.”

The United Nations General Assembly and UNESCO officially declared 2019 the International Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements, commemorating its establishment by the Russian scientist, Dmitri Mendeleev, and its role as one of the most influential achievements in modern science.