Exciting student activities to focus on building a culture of innovation and creativity in schools during UAE innovation week
Inspiring students to think beyond their classroom, the UAE Innovation Week will encourage schools across the country to take part in activities designed to encourage new ideas.
Dr Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director General of KHDA said, “The UAE Innovation Week inspires people to contribute in making UAE a successful nation. The events and activities for innovation week are designed in line with the directive of the President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan which marks 2015 as the year of innovation.”
During the UAE Innovation Week, schools, universities, government and private sector organisations will provide a platform for students, educators and parent community to discuss and share new ideas.
Building on the National Innovation Strategy launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the innovation week is designed to foster a culture of innovation at all levels.
Dr Abdulla said, “We live in a world where the ambitions and expectations of people are continuously changing. To meet and exceed these expectations, we have to come up with innovative ideas. The UAE Innovation Week marks a major step forward in our journey to achieve the goals set out in UAE Vision 2021.”
At schools and universities, the UAE innovation week will aim at simulating innovation in all areas. KHDA is inviting students to design the Primary School of Future, a campaign that drives innovation in Dubai’s education landscape.
Participants from about 30 schools, divided into groups of three, will attempt to build Primary School of Future using the LEGO Education StoryStarter set by ATLAB, indicating what they would like their school to look like in 2030. The students will also use the kit with an iPad to build a model school that reflects exactly how they would like their school and learning environment to be. The school models will be showcased at the KHDA office during the innovation week.
“Our motive is to bring in the culture of how to think, design and plan new innovation during this week. This will inspire kids to acquire 21st century skills, along with creative thinking and teamwork,” said S. Senthil Kugan, General Manager of ATLAB, a technology-based learning solutions company.
Hind Al Mualla, Chief of Creativity, Happiness and Innovation said, “Helping create a culture of innovation in schools at such a large-scale will have a positive effect which would be reflected in the educational outcome. Students will have the opportunity to transport themselves to 2030 and help design a school.”
KHDA will also showcase innovation in education by providing a space for ideas and projects in a 35-foot shipping container outside the KHDA office in Dubai International Academic City. The innovation container will house some of the best projects crafted by student makers – who will also be visiting the container to learn from each other and share ideas.
KHDA Activities for UAE Innovation Week
Sunday, November 22, 2015
‘Set the space’: An activity to decorate the ’35-foot innovation container’ at KHDA office.
Monday, November 23, 2015
‘Make, Create and Innovate’: Old tires, paint, wool and wooden pallets will be repurposed to inspire new creations inside the ‘innovation container’.
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
‘Keep learning’: Student makers will be visiting the container to teach KHDA employees how they work on school projects.
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Sports Day
Thursday, November 26, 2015
‘Bringing it all together’: Exhibition of ‘Primary School of the Future’ Ensuring creativity and innovation activities are impactful and long-lasting.
- KHDA
