Stemming from a shared belief in the importance of exposing children to different forms of learning, the Advancement of Sciences Publishing and Distribution (ASPD) organized a children’s workshop in collaboration with the Museum of Arabic Islamic Science and Fine Arts Centre at Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Cultural Centre during the national holidays.
The aim was to introduce children to the legacy of Arab and Muslim scientists and to help them learn the steps of the scientific method. Participants learned about the progression of the scientific method from early philosophers and natural scientists who first used experimentation as a way to reach scientific conclusions. They also learned about Ibn al-Haytham’s theory of optics and visual perception, which was a stepping stone to modern science; relying on investigative methodology to prove that vision occurs when light enters the eyes rather than the eyes emitting light.
In the second part of the event, kids were introduced to Ibn al-Haytham’s cabin at the Museum of Arabic Islamic Science and engaged in an experiment By Muneera Al-Yahya that explains the basic functions of the camera obscura using an ASPD publication called the Most Amazing Pop-up Science Book.
قـال محـمد العـبيدي مـقدم الـورشة ومنظمها: “كان من المهم ألا يتـلقى الأطفال المعلـومات فحسب، بل أن يـكونـوا مشاركين نشـيطـين في إنـتاج المـعلومات”.
وأضاف العبيدي أن إشراك الأطفال في عملية التعلم كمشاركين نشيطين وتعريفهم بثراء تراثهم العلمي قد يحسّن على نحو كبير قدراتهم التعليمية والتفكيرية. وأوضح: “عندما يتعلمون عن المساهمات الكبيرة لأسلافهم في العلوم، فهذا يجعلهم واثقين من أن بإمكانهم هم أيضًا أن يساهموا في هذا المجال”.
The event also included an interactive science show by Big Jack, Abdullah Almousawi, a science presenter - who specializes in chemistry - for children and adults alike. Almousawi, who wears a giant Einstein-like grey wig and a lab coat covered in chemistry equations, demonstrated experiments revolving around the principle of sublimation, the chemistry of volcanoes and showcased magic tricks using science.
خلال عرضه، كان يمكن سماع أصوات جميع المتفرجين وهم يصرخون في تعجب وإثارة وأفواههم فاغرة. قال الموسوي “العلم يجعلني سعيدا، وخاصة الكيمياء. … بعض الأشخاص الذين يكرهون العلم يحبونه بعد مشاهدة عرضي لأنه يُقدم لهم بطريقة بسيطة ومسلية”.
It was important for us that the kids are not just receiving information but are active participants in producing the information
By Muneera Al Yahya