Ahmed Alzaabi holds up a paper rocket he’s made. “I made a rocket because Hazza Al Mansouri went to space so I want to go to space,” the Emirati 11-year-old tells us.
Meanwhile, his 8-year-old sister Hind Alzaabi displays a castle she’s created from a box, complete with a functioning door, while their cousin 7-year-old Fatima Alzaabi shows off paper shoes and a skirt she’s made.
While these creations may seem different, they all have a common purpose: to teach science, technology, engineering and mathematics (Stem) skills in a creative manner, keeping children engaged and entertained.
It's all part of Adnoc's Stem@ Home programme, which was launched in May 2020. The online initiative, available to those aged 7 to 18, enables them to remotely access resources that help them learn new skills through science-based challenges. As of Tuesday, August 11, 9,600 children had enrolled.
How does it work?
The free programme is open to all to enrol. Children can register their name with Adnoc by sending an email adnocstem@adnoc.ae after which they are asked to fill out a form.
Challenges and activities are then posted on Facebook, WhatsApp, email and a shared drive. Each challenge has a PDF that gives detailed instructions on how to complete the challenge.
The challenges can be completed independently by the children, or with the support of parents or caregivers. It is designed to be flexible so that families can participate as much as they like, according to their available time and interest.
“We believe in a pedagogy that is driven by exploration, intrinsic curiosity and real world problem solving,” an Adnoc representative tells us of the programme. “Accordingly, we do not give solutions or answers to the challenges, but rather lead students into the middle of a challenge and ask them to find their own answers and solutions. Many of our challenges do not have one correct answer, but rather invite open-ended, creative problem solving. This better reflects what it is like to work as an engineer.”
Inspiring a new generation of engineers
To better support the children, the initiative has brought in a number of volunteers or champions. Asma Alzaabi is an Emirati champion who has been mentoring 55 Emirati students in the programme.
“Well, at first I received an email from my university about being an Emirati champion for Adnoc. So, I thought it would be a great opportunity since it is related to my major which is engineering and at the same time it would be something fun to do at home,” the 20-year-old university student says.
Asma has been interacting with the students and their parents by posting details about the daily tasks on WhatsApp. Pictures and videos of the completed projects are then uploaded online.
“My job is to compliment, motivate and inspire them,” she says. “They were really shocked that they have the skills to invent and create. I was so happy to be a part of that.”
“It’s all about discovering your skills,” she adds. “Behind every task, there is a lesson.”
The programme included activities that can be completed in two to five hours, competitions, and a series of three two-week summer camps. The camp themes are paper power (engineering with paper), marine engineering (which taught children topics like density and buoyancy), and energy for life, which explores the global supply chain.
Meanwhile, the programme has helped children in more ways than one, says Aisha Alteneiji, mother to Fatima and Noora Alzaabi, who have both enrolled.
“The programme has helped them improve their intellectual knowledge. They started to become more motivated and search the Internet on their own and really enjoy the projects," she says.
“It didn’t just improve their skills, but their personalities,” she adds. “They were so shy but with the process of filming themselves and their projects, they have become more confident.”
Adnoc’s Stem@Home summer programme will run until Thursday, August 20. Meanwhile Adnoc’s Stem programme is an ongoing, multi-year effort to improve stem education and inspire the next generation of engineers and innovators.
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
More on animal trafficking
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
BMW%20M4%20Competition
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Company%20Profile
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PROFILE OF HALAN
Started: November 2017
Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport and logistics
Size: 150 employees
Investment: approximately $8 million
Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar
MATCH INFO
Europa League semi-final, second leg
Atletico Madrid (1) v Arsenal (1)
Where: Wanda Metropolitano
When: Thursday, May 3
Live: On BeIN Sports HD
Coal Black Mornings
Brett Anderson
Little Brown Book Group
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
THE%20SPECS
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo
Power: 435hp at 5,900rpm
Torque: 520Nm at 1,800-5,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Price: from Dh498,542
On sale: now
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
THE%20SWIMMERS
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2019 Asian Cup final
Japan v Qatar
Friday, 6pm
Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi
The specs: 2019 Infiniti QX50
Price, base: Dh138,000 (estimate)
Engine: 2.0L, turbocharged, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 268hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 380Nm @ 4,400rpm
Fuel economy: 6.7L / 100km (estimate)
