ABU DHABI //Eesha Raazia can sum up her visit to Abu Dhabi's 1001 Inventions exhibition in one word: awesome.
The collection on Abu Dhabi Corniche has already toured the UK and the US, promoting the important role the ancient Muslim world played in the history of science. Now the award-winning exhibition is on show in the capital until December 24.
"It's very knowledgeable and very creative," Eesha, 11, declares after touring the exhibit as part of a school outing with her class from Sherwood Academy. And it is definitely more fun than normal school.
The class learnt about Fatima Al Fihri, a 9th-century educator who founded the oldest university in the world. They also flapped their arms and attempted to fly like the famous inventor Abbas Ibn Firnas.
Eesha's favourite part was learning about the legendary elephant clock, created by the 12th-century Muslim scholar Al Jazari.
The water clock - carved in the form of an elephant with an Egyptian phoenix, elephant driver and Chinese serpents on its back - chimes every 30 minutes when a bowl of water in the elephant's belly fills and pulls a string. This releases a ball from the serpent's mouth and causes the elephant driver's hand to drop and strike a drum and the phoenix to chirp.
"I want to invent a time machine, but I think it would be impossible," Eesha muses, before rushing off to explore more.
Al Jazari, the creator of more than 50 different devices, is one of several influential inventors whose work is being commemorated by the exhibition.
Jimmy Mesho, an 18-year-old student at New York University Abu Dhabi, dons a costume every day to play the role of the Iraqi-born 11th-century scientist Ibn Al Haytham.
As one of many costumed volunteers manning the exhibition, Mr Mesho teaches visitors about Al Haytham's most famous invention: the camera obscura.
The scientist accidentally found that when light passes through a small hole, it can be projected as an upside-down image on the surface opposite to the hole.
"Ibn Al Haytham was the father of optics and scientific experiments," Mr Mesho told a group of enraptured schoolchildren, before moving on to show them what Al Haytham had invented.
"That's crazy," whispered one, as the others tried to touch the projected images.
Reny Thomas, a teacher at Sherwood Academy, said introducing children to an exhibition like this teaches them how to learn in a positive way. "Here, they are allowed to move freely. They are tension-free, and they are very happy."
Equipped with notepads, the children will take a note of topics they want to explore more, said the teacher, ensuring their learning does not stop once their tour is over.
"I loved the part about learning to fly and the part that made the ship move," says 10-year-old Amira Hassan.
"It was really interesting that some people [inventors] came from my city," says Zainab Iman, an Iraqi pupil.
In the past two days, approximately 15,000 people are believed to have visited 1001 Inventions and the science festival at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, says a spokesman for the exhibition. Yesterday, organisers welcomed about 100 visitors every 15 minutes.
"They are loving it," says the spokesman. "There is another one which is currently touring the US, but this is a bilingual version, and it is bigger."
The Abu Dhabi version also houses several new electronic games and hands-on exhibits.
The students found the experience very interesting, agrees John Julian, another teacher from Sherwood Academy. He says, in the six years since he started teaching in the UAE, 1001 Inventions is like nothing the schoolchildren have had a chance to take part in.
"They get to have a very hands-on experience, especially with the characters that are speaking to them," he says.
zalhassani@thenational.ae
* Visit 1001 Inventions at West Plaza, Gate 12 of the Abu Dhabi Corniche from 5pm to 10pm on weekdays and 2pm to 10pm on weekends.
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Pad Man
Dir: R Balki
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor, Radhika Apte
Three-and-a-half stars
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Motori Profile
Date started: March 2020
Co-founder/CEO: Ahmed Eissa
Based: UAE, Abu Dhabi
Sector: Insurance Sector
Size: 50 full-time employees (Inside and Outside UAE)
Stage: Seed stage and seeking Series A round of financing
Investors: Safe City Group
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
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SPECS
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ILT20%20UAE%20stars
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Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
'Skin'
Dir: Guy Nattiv
Starring: Jamie Bell, Danielle McDonald, Bill Camp, Vera Farmiga
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
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Essentials
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Delhi from about Dh950 return including taxes.
The hotels
Double rooms at Tijara Fort-Palace cost from 6,670 rupees (Dh377), including breakfast.
Doubles at Fort Bishangarh cost from 29,030 rupees (Dh1,641), including breakfast. Doubles at Narendra Bhawan cost from 15,360 rupees (Dh869). Doubles at Chanoud Garh cost from 19,840 rupees (Dh1,122), full board. Doubles at Fort Begu cost from 10,000 rupees (Dh565), including breakfast.
The tours
Amar Grover travelled with Wild Frontiers. A tailor-made, nine-day itinerary via New Delhi, with one night in Tijara and two nights in each of the remaining properties, including car/driver, costs from £1,445 (Dh6,968) per person.
Baby Driver
Director: Edgar Wright
Starring: Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey, Jamie Foxx, Lily James
Three and a half stars
Schedule:
Sept 15: Bangladesh v Sri Lanka (Dubai)
Sept 16: Pakistan v Qualifier (Dubai)
Sept 17: Sri Lanka v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 18: India v Qualifier (Dubai)
Sept 19: India v Pakistan (Dubai)
Sept 20: Bangladesh v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi) Super Four
Sept 21: Group A Winner v Group B Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 21: Group B Winner v Group A Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 23: Group A Winner v Group A Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 23: Group B Winner v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 25: Group A Winner v Group B Winner (Dubai)
Sept 26: Group A Runner-up v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 28: Final (Dubai)
Fresh faces in UAE side
Khalifa Mubarak (24) An accomplished centre-back, the Al Nasr defender’s progress has been hampered in the past by injury. With not many options in central defence, he would bolster what can be a problem area.
Ali Salmeen (22) Has been superb at the heart of Al Wasl’s midfield these past two seasons, with the Dubai club flourishing under manager Rodolfo Arrubarrena. Would add workrate and composure to the centre of the park.
Mohammed Jamal (23) Enjoyed a stellar 2016/17 Arabian Gulf League campaign, proving integral to Al Jazira as the capital club sealed the championship for only a second time. A tenacious and disciplined central midfielder.
Khalfan Mubarak (22) One of the most exciting players in the UAE, the Al Jazira playmaker has been likened in style to Omar Abdulrahman. Has minimal international experience already, but there should be much more to come.
Jassim Yaqoub (20) Another incredibly exciting prospect, the Al Nasr winger is becoming a regular contributor at club level. Pacey, direct and with an eye for goal, he would provide the team’s attack an extra dimension.
What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
HOSTS
T20 WORLD CUP
2024: US and West Indies; 2026: India and Sri Lanka; 2028: Australia and New Zealand; 2030: England, Ireland and Scotland
ODI WORLD CUP
2027: South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia; 2031: India and
Bangladesh
CHAMPIONS TROPHY
2025: Pakistan; 2029: India
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