The hugely popular interactive ‘lema?’ tour programme continues to go from strength to strength as more than 80,000 pupils in Abu Dhabi enjoyed the fun side of learning during the 2018-19 academic year.
A total of 165 schools across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra Region signed up for the latest initiative between October 2018 and May 2019 with a record 81,295 pupils treated to a series of innovative and engaging Arabic and English workshops, sessions and shows that saw them improve their knowledge on science, technology, engineering and mathematic (STEM) subjects.
With 1,124 workshops held in total, this year’s pupil attendance figure is the highest in the seven-year history since ‘lema?’ was launched in 2012 by Abu Dhabi Education and Knowledge (ADEK).
With the emphasis of making learning more enjoyable to pupils in grades 3-7, during the three trimesters of the academic year, teams of expert scientists and educators wowed the children by offering an introduction to the STEM subjects through fun, enjoyable and quirky exercises.
Their brand-new ‘Crazy Chemistry’ show, which kicked off this year’s programme, provided many interactive experiences and demonstrations of how science makes the impossible possible every day. The tour also included ‘Radio Studio’ and ‘Energy Future’ classes as well as the ‘Prepare for Take-Off’ lessons.
It also focused on the latest and the most exciting developments of emerging technology as well as offering an insight to the next generation of scientists on potential future careers in the STEM fields.
Additionally, for the first time ever, ADEK gave the opportunity for the public to experience the interactive workshops and events themselves after it was held for the first time at City Mall in Madinat Zayed.
Held during the UAE Innovation month in February, this unique opportunity took education to another level with a wide range of events and workshops, while members of the public also explored the wonders of the solar system by entering a portable planetarium as part of the popular ‘Secrets of Space’ show.
With ADEK keen to educate as many young people in the Emirate, the workshops and sessions were specially designed for pupils of determination so they could enjoy the fun and learn of what the programme offers.
Ms. Fatima Al Zaabi, Programme Manager of Special Projects at ADEK, said: “We are absolutely thrilled by the response of the lema? tour for the 2018-19 academic year.
“The fact that we have had more than 80,000 pupils take part is a true testament of how important the lema? has been for pupils in Abu Dhabi. Schools and pupils across the Abu Dhabi Emirate have really embraced this opportunity thanks to our interactive, quirky and fun workshops and this has really brought out the laughter and smiles of the children.
“We want the programme to have a positive impact on children in the UAE and, by learning more about STEM subjects, to enable them to learn the important skills and knowledge that is pivotal for them to succeed in the future.”
Operated with the full backing of its Platinum Sponsor, Mubadala Investment Company, lema? (which means ‘why?’ in Arabic), is held over the course of six weeks, three times a year. Each session is delivered by fully trained science communicators and specially designed versions of the show are run to ensure inclusion of pupils of determination.
