Dubai science festival to attract children with fun activities

DUBAI // The power of the silver screen will be used to help inspire children to become interested in science next week.

Now in it’s third year, Dubai’s Children’s City the Science Film Festival will showcase a range of films based on a wide range of scientific subjects.

Gabriele Landwehr, director for the organiser Goethe-Institut Gulf Region, said the festival would “present science in an entertaining and attractive way”.

“From a small local initiative in South Asia it has grown to an international educational and film event,” she added.

Visitors will get the chance to take part in work shops and experiments based around some of the themes covered in the films.

The festival presents films that address diverse issues such as everyday science, climate change, ecology and environment, life science, natural science and technology.

This year the main theme will focus on the material sciences.

As well as this the festival also supports a broader range of initiatives that aim to improve the interest in Stem subjects.

“The Science Film Festival offers a broad platform for a programme and activities strengthening the appreciation of science communication in the community,” said Tanja Neskovic Karic, the Goethe-Institut Gulf Region’s programme coordinator.

“Through coordinated efforts of our local partner institutions from the scientific, cultural, educational and environmental sectors we are one step further to promote interest in science and technology among children, pupils and students.”

The festival, which is aimed at seven to 16-year-olds, is being run in partnership with educational activity provider, The Nutty Scientists.

The Nutty Scientists duo, Professor Mickey and Professor Ice will perform a series of fun and educational acts.

There will also be stage experiments like elephant toothpaste, a smoke canon, self-inflated balloons, smoke-filled bubbles and more.

“The Science Film Festival is a great and important contribution to provide a quality education service for the visitors,” said Naila Al Mansoory, head of Children’s City.

The festival takes place at Children’s City, at Dubai Creek Park from October 10 to 12.