On the Road to Tomorrow with Al Oloom Bus

A classroom of 11th-grade students at Jumana Bent Abi Taleb School in Abdulla Al-Salem traveled to outer space this March. Accompanied by their science teacher, Fedhah Almosallam, their vehicle into the stars was not a rocket ship, but a bus parked outside their school — Kuwait’s new Al Oloom Bus. “It was the first time my students had a field trip without leaving the school,” said Almosallam. “They were so excited.”

Aboard the bus, students learned about the stars, the moon, and the galaxy and how to use a telescope. The galaxy is one of several themes available to students and teachers aboard Al Oloom Bus, a project developed by the Advancement of Sciences Publishing and Distribution (APSD), one of the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences’ (KFAS) centers, and the Kuwait Innovation Center (KIC).

While the bus launched this year to coincide with the 62nd anniversary of Kuwait’s independence and the 32nd anniversary of its liberation, development on the project began in 2020. It was part of ASPD’s commitment to expand its production of high-quality science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) content for K-12 students and make science engaging and accessible to young people across the country. “We try to make science an experience — not just about reading, but being involved in science,” said Layla Al-Musawi, Deputy Chairman and CEO of ASPD.

واستكمل المشروع بفضل المهارات والتكنولوجيا الوطنية التي يوفرها مركز الكويت للابتكار، وهي شركة صغيرة متوسطة مكرسة للنهوض باقتصاد المعرفة في الكويت من خلال البحث والتطوير والتدريب، تهتم بمشروعات التأثير الاجتماعي. وقد تواءمت فكرة بـاص العلوم مع أنشطة التأثير الاجتماعي لدى مركز الكويت للابتكار. قال محمد الرفاعي، الرئيس التنفيذي لمركز الكويت للابتكار إن العمل مع الشباب أمر حيوي لمهمة المركز، وباص العلوم هو واحد من أكبر مشروعاته حتى الآن.

Developing Kuwait’s Al Oloom Bus

It took three years to bring the Al Oloom Bus to life. The pandemic slowed the process but even during COVID-related closures, Al-Musawi said her team continued to develop the curriculum and coordinate with the KIC on the design. “We selected the themes and content from leading international content providers based on STEM curriculum in schools in Kuwait. Then we asked KIC to accompany activities to contribute to enhancing the skills of the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” said Al-Musawi.

ASPD launched Al Oloom bus with three goals: Allow youth to explore their passion for science, help students bridge the gap between theory and practice through engaging activities, and include digital fabrication technologies for students to learn Fourth Industrial Revolution skills, utilizing the wow factor incorporated in the interior design of the bus.

“We wanted students to step into a unique environment, so when they get onto the bus, they would be amazed,” Almousawi said. Almosallam said the bus accomplished this for her students, who were “surprised” when they boarded Al Oloom Bus and “loved the environment.”

AlRefaei said teaching Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies like 3D printing, laser cutting, embedded systems, and robotics, prepares students for career success, “We want students to think outside the box and understand the Fourth Industrial Revolution, so they can use these theories and tools in the future, for example, for opening their own business.”

Al Oloom Bus made its first visits to schools this year. During its pilot stage, the Al Oloom Bus visited more than 30 schools and worked with hundreds of students. At each school, the bus parks, and groups of students rotate through stations set up outside and inside the bus. “There is a reading or theoretical station, and then the students have implementation stations inside the bus, as well as a station for STEM career paths awareness” said Al-Musawi.

Almosallam said lessons on the solar system made a big impression on her students when Al Oloom Bus visited in March 2023. The theme also connected to lessons she had been teaching in her classroom. “During the first semester, we studied the galaxy, the Big Bang, and the life of a star, so Al Oloom Bus was related, and the students learned to like the subject even more,” she said.

Meanwhile, many middle school students enjoyed learning wave theories and hearing physiology, some of Al Oloom Bus’ other themes. These students began by reading about the human ear, then assembled a simulation of the human brain and eardrum to see the theory in action. There were also inspiring narratives that recounted the journey of studying and practicing medicine, as shared by Dr. Bashayer Al-Saeedi and Dr. Sabika Al-Wazzan from the Department of Ear, Nose, and Throat at Jaber Hospital. “When they start speaking to the ear model, the simulated ear takes the sound and converts it into a signal that students see on a screen,” said AlRefaei. “The reaction from the students was amazing.” Next year, the bus will offer more themes ensuring every student can find something that sparks their interest.

Driving the Future

Having finished its pilot phase, Al Oloom Bus is gearing up for the upcoming academic year. It will host new themes and activities and STEM professionals, like doctors and engineers, will be invited to travel to schools with Al Oloom Bus to speak to students about their work.

While the themes were limited during the pilot phases, next year teachers will be able to request specific topics when they schedule a visit from Al Oloom Bus, so the activities correspond to what students are already learning in class. The bus also has plans for the summer, including visits to public libraries, children’s hospitals, and special needs care centers to provide enrichment to young people outside schools.

Almosallam said she hopes Al Oloom Bus will return to her school next semester so that more students can take advantage of the unique learning experience. Only Almosallam’s 11th-grade students visited the bus during its first stop at the school, and as they talked about it with their peers in other grade levels, interest grew. “Everyone wants the bus to come back,” said Almosallam.”

Al-Musawi said the team is excited to meet this growing demand. “We want to reach as many schools and communities as possible, hoping to spark their interest and curiosity about science when they are still young,” she said. “We hope it will inspire the next generation of scientists and innovators.”

By Marianne Dhenin

Photos: Omar al sayed omar