SHARJAH // The presence of thousands of children and their parents for the Sharjah chapter of the Abu Dhabi Science Festival exceeded all expectations over the weekend.
The festival, now in its fourth year, has expanded to a new emirate in Sharjah, as well as Al Ain Zoo, for the first time in the hope of attracting more young people to the wonders of science.
According to one workshop manager, Al Majaz waterfront in Sharjah has welcomed more than 2,000 children since the festival opened last week.
“A lot of them returned more than once to play here,” said Polly, who oversaw the Automata workshop.
More than 150 students from the men’s and women’s higher colleges of technology in the emirate have been recruited as science communicators to work onsite to deliver the festival’s content.
Activities include workshops, shows, and an interactive exhibition as well as games and activities that include making slime, building a rocket and creating perfume.
Wafa, an Emirati mother of three, said: “I graduated with an IT degree, and always had a knack for science. It’s absolutely amazing to have my kids here exploring and inventing stuff.
“They use their iPads at home all the time, they play sports, but this festival had them very excited: making kites and creating their own perfumes.
“This is my second visit to the festival, and I will try to come again before the weekend.”
A highlight of the past weekend for many visitors was the sight of more than 1,000 kites made by children being flown over the waterfront.
“They helped a two-year-old girl make her own kite. You should have seen the smile on her face when the kite went up in the air,” said Jamela, a supervisor of the High Flyers workshop.
However, the big crowds at Al Majaz were not to everyone’s liking.
Julia, mother of a five-year-old, decided to visit the festival another time because it was too crowded at the weekend and her child did not have enough time to play and explore the whole festival.
Much of the content at this year’s festival has been developed by UAE-based organisations and companies, such as the Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi and Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation. The festival runs until Saturday. For more details, visit www.abudhabisciencefestival.ae or call 80073.
tzriqat@thenational.ae