On the 20th January Al Dhafra Private Schools, Abu Dhabi was proud to welcome UAE astronauts, Hazzaa Ali Al Mansouri and Sultan Saif Al Neyadi to the school. This was their first visit to any school in the United Arab Emirates, following the successful mission to space which took place in September 2019. It was an honour for the staff and children to greet both of them, as they learned how they were selected from a field of 4022 applicants to join the UAE’s inaugural space programme.
The children were very excited to meet their heroes and were inspired to hear Hazzaa talk in detail about their historic achievements and experiences, as well as the scientific and mathematical aspects of life as an astronaut. Their visit also coincided with a range of innovative science workshops being held in the school, as well as a career workshop for Grade 8 boys, where they considered the knowledge, skills, qualifications and career paths which are essential for students hoping to become pilots, or eventually astronauts like Hazzaa and Sultan.
All of the KG students enjoyed dressing up as astronauts and meeting their heroes and a special whole school assembly celebrated the achievements of the famous visitors and the culture and heritage of the Emirati people.
