DOHA: The Qatar debut of MathAlive, the interactive math and science exhibition, opened yesterday in the presence of Minister of Education and Higher Education and Supreme Education Council Secretary-General H E Dr Mohammed Abdul Wahed Ali Al Hammadi at Qatar University (QU). It runs until October 8.
The travelling exhibition is a partnership effort among QU colleges of Engineering (CENG), Arts and Sciences (CAS) and Education (CED), and Raytheon Company, which has created the event.
The Minister was joined by Dr Humaid Al Midfaa, Vice-President, Administration and Finance, QU, Dr Khalid Alali, Associate Vice-President, Faculty Affairs, Dr Rashid Al Ammari, Dean, CENG, Dr Eiman Mustafawi, Dean, CAS, Dr Hissa Sadiq, Dean, CED, and Dr Mohamed Abdulaziz A l Khulaifi, Dean, College of Law, as well as James W Wade, Vice-President, Corporate Mission Assurance, Raytheon, Robert C Koch, Vice-President, International Communications, and Dave Desilets, Director, International Communications.
Dr Mazen Hasna, Vice-President and Chief Academic Officer, QU, and Yezen Munir, Raytheon International’s President for Qatar, made opening remarks.
Students and teachers from schools across Qatar, QU faculty members and senior representatives from Raytheon were present.
Dr Hasna said: “Being a partner in the initiative reflects QU’s commitment to promote math and science among students at an early age through accessible, fun experiences that will inform their approaches to subjects in the classroom and encourage their innovation and creativity.”
Munir praised QU’s support and said, “Through QU’s partnership, we are able to bring MathAlive! to children of Qatar for this first stop in Doha. We share a goal of providing our youth with the best education nurtured by great institutions like QU. This investment in their learning will yield contributions to society that brings new innovations and a country’s vision to life.”
Covering more than 350sqm, MathAlive!’s interactive modules spanned building design, football, space travel, video games and more, bringing math and science to life for late primary and early secondary school students.
The event also saw introduction of a new interactive football module designed for Qatari youth and in recognition of the country’s dedication to football ahead of its hosting of 2022 World Cup. The first-of-its-kind Penalty Block simulator gave students virtual experience to explore mathematical concepts behind one aspect of the country’s favourite sport.
Yousef Mohammed from Doha Preparatory Independent School for Boys said: “The exhibition is exciting as games are attractive, and can deliver math in a way that is different from traditional methods we are familiar with.”
Zaid Amjad from Omar Bin Abdulaziz Secondary Independent School for Boys said: “The exhibition gets students deeply involved in math and helps them think in a more creative way and find solutions for daily life challenges they face.”The Peninsula
