ABU DHABI // More than 1,850 schoolchildren from across the UAE took part in a space rocket competition launched by the UAE Space Agency during the Dubai Airshow last week.
The competition, organised in cooperation with Abu Dhabi Education Council and the Ministry of Education, was part of the agency’s commitment to support and strengthen education in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.
It gave primary, middle and secondary school pupils the opportunity to colour and design a rocket, which had a fixed template but required creativity and inspiration.
“The agency aims to encourage pupils to study science, technology and space sciences for the development of future generations of scientists and researchers. The agency is, therefore, keen to organise educational initiatives such as this competition to inspire students to specialise in this area,” said Khalifa Al Rumaithi, chairman of the agency.
Mohammed Nasser Al Ahbabi, the space agency’s director general, said: “The overwhelming response we’ve received for the competition is an indication of how widespread the interest for space is among school pupils.
“It is recognised that work in the field of space is associated with the highest levels of success and achievement among aspiring and ambitious students.”
The judging panel set up by the agency has begun the process of evaluating and selecting the most creative rockets. Winners will be announced on Monday and the schools that qualify will be awarded a two-metre-tall rocket model.
The final 44 winning designs will be presented during an exhibition as part of the celebrations for the 44th National Day, and distributed across the country at prominent landmarks afterwards.
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