(MENAFN- The Peninsula) The Peninsula
Doha, Qatar: Qatar University's (QU) Young Scientists Center (YSC) concluded the sixth cycle of the problem-solving programme for the primary stage.
The final event was held at QU in the presence of Professor Noora Al Thani, YSC Director, in addition to professional judges from important sectors in Qatar, the YSC team and the participating students.
This programme included the participation of 393 male and female students from 15 primary schools.
The problem-solving programme is one of the basic and important programmes that the center offers on a regular basis, as it provides a distinctive educational methodology that follows the STEM curriculum to provide students with problem-solving skills through four basic steps.
During the programme, students learn how to analyse problems, brainstorm solutions and apply them in an innovative way. In addition, the programme develops the students' abilities to think critically and creatively and provides them with the scientific skills to build their resilience and self-confidence.
The YSC team prepared and developed the programme's workshops for this year to include interactive activities and educational challenges that place the students in real situations that require them to solve them in an innovative way.
The programme presented several interesting topics about environmental problems, encouraging students to tackle issues in this field and spreading awareness in the community to achieve the Sustainability Development Goals.
After the students went through this educational experience, the participating groups worked together to apply what they learned and designed awareness posters to educate the community about habits that keep the environment safe.
All posters were evaluated in schools, to nominate the best groups for the final competition.
During the event, the nominated groups competed by presenting their posters and expressing their innovative ideas in front of a committee of specialised judges.
They were evaluated based on several criteria, the most important of which is their ability to present the problem-solving steps, the applicability of the proposed solutions, and the quality of the poster.
The first three winning schools were selected and honoured with Khalifa Model School for Boys in first place.
Arabian Gulf Model School for Boys finished second, while the third place went to Al Falah Primary School for Girls.
Prof. Dr. Noora said,“Today's children are the future of the country so we must develop their mindsets and build their creativity and innovation, to prepare them to be leaders and pioneers who can rebuild, reform, and find innovative solutions to the global problems.
Therefore, through this cycle we introduced to primary students the goals of sustainable development and encouraged them to present an awareness campaign with their creative ideas and great ambitions.”