ADSF DELIVERS EXCITING PROGRAMME OF EVENTS THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS
WITH LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE ORGANIZATIONS

Award-winning science festival is bursting with activities from distinguished providers

Festival sees the return of popular workshops along some new additions which are guaranteed to
amaze visitors
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Local content brings cultural relevance to the event and inspires the nation’s youth through enriching
science experiences
Abu Dhabi, 04 November 2015 – The region’s biggest science extravaganza, the Abu Dhabi Science
Festival (ADSF) returns to the UAE with entertaining activities for the whole family to enjoy. Bringing back
popular workshops from previous years and offering engaging new experiences, the festival is set to excite
youth from across the Emirates with an eclectic choice of science activities; from locally inspired
workshops to an amazing variety of international entertainment. Taking place from November 12-22 at
the new location of Mushrif Central Park, ADSF will be running at full capacity from day one with visitors
encouraged to pre-book online to ensure a place in their activities of choice.
Organized by the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) and the Abu Dhabi Technology Development
Committee (TDC), ADSF is designed to spark the imaginations of young people in the UAE and encourage
their interest in science and technology-based subjects. Merging science with entertainment, activities at
the festival cover a variety of topics: from the human body and the natural world to creative technology
and space science - all delivered through interactive exhibits, fun workshops and spectacular shows. Local
content makes up 40% of the programme offering with these activities specifically tailored to the interests
of UAE audiences.
Science festivals are a global best-practice format of science engagement that have proven to inspire
young minds to look at the world through inquisitive eyes and help their learning development. Through
a programming partnership with the Edinburg International Science Festival (EISF) – the first and one of
the largest science festivals in the world – ADSF brings best-in-class informal science experiences to UAE
children. Designed for young students visiting with their teachers or families, ADSF achieves wide
community engagement, with the festival programme delivered by over 700 Science Communicators who
have been recruited from top UAE universities.
The areas of science covered by the Festival local content partners, demonstrates the wealth of
inspirational ideas that exist with exciting events from a prestigious roll call of entities including: ADNOC,
Abu Dhabi New York University, Emirates Foundation, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Family Development
Foundation, Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, Total Academy, Bidaya Media, Abu Dhabi Astronomy, Yas
Marina Circuit, the Society of Petroleum Engineers, Mad Science, Nutty Scientists, Edutech, Handasa, and
ZerOhm.
Commenting on the content offering for ADSF, Neama Al Marshoudi, Manager of Content, TDC said, “We
collaborate with a wide spectrum of distinguished organizations each year who work closely with us to
deliver an educational and engaging event for the whole community to enjoy.” She continued, “Through
ADSF, we aim to create excitement among UAE children about the world of science and develop a lifelong passion within them that ultimately inspires their future careers. Incorporating a local flavor into the
festival programme showcases the UAE science industry which is a field of growing significance, while
working with international partners enables us to provide the best science experiences from around the
world.”
The fifth edition of ADSF is organized by Abu Dhabi Education Council and the Abu Dhabi Technology
Development Committee in partnership with Tawazun as “Presenting sponsor”, Dolphin Energy as “Gold
Sponsor”, ADNOC and Etihad Airways as “Affiliate Sponsors”, Abu Dhabi Media Company as “Exclusive
Media Partner” and the Edinburgh International Science Festival (EISF) as “Programming Partner”, with
the Festival produced by Flash Entertainment.
A full list of shows, exhibits and workshops in addition to a calendar of events, can be found on the official
ADSF website: www.abudhabisciencefestival.ae. Pre-booking is highly encouraged due to popular
demand. Follow the latest news and updates on ADSF’s social media platforms on Instagram and Twitter:
@adsciencefest and on Facebook: Abu Dhabi Science Festival. The opening times of ADSF are as follows:
 Sun-Wed: 16.00-21.00
 Thursday: 16.00-22.00
 Fri-Sat: 14:00-22.00
-ENDNotes to Editors:
Please find below examples of ADSF’s workshops.
Local programme offering
This year’s locally inspired offerings include Morse Code, a fun workshop which provides children with an
introduction to the basic principles of electricity and enables them to build their own simple electric
circuit. Let’s Talk Astronomy takes a look at the stars above the Abu Dhabi sky and in Flying High, children
can discover the secrets of flight in both humans and animals. In Hydrogen Car Pit Stop, participants can
work as a team to build a hydrogen fuel-powered car and learn to troubleshoot while Che-Mystery
explores the mysterious wonders of chemical science.
Introduction to Radiation looks at the limitless energy source that is all around us and in this workshop,
participants will safely handle harmless sources of radioactivity. Little Paleontologists will delve into local
history exploring fossils from the UAE’s past and Space Phenomenon gives an introduction to the world
of space science, teaching children how to differentiate lights in the night sky. Bringing a health education
element into the programme, Healthy Lifestyles encourages healthy habits and includes useful tips on
nutrition, exercise and hygiene.
International Science Experiences
New experiences from international partners this year include Lego Sports Stars where participants will
be able to build and program their own robot before testing out their creation in the Robot World Cup.
Hands-on workshop, Inventor School, enables children to tinker with tech and become an instant
inventor. Attendees of this workshop will also get to create their very own gadget – either a Hollywoodstyle laser tripwire, a ‘tremble alarm’ or a robot and laser projector. Young visitors can learn about the
secrets of Mars in Space Station or turn hydrogen into energy and use it to send a camera into the sky in
Floating Photography.
Based on their popularity in previous years, a number of international activities and workshops will be
returning to ADSF 2015 to delight budding young scientists – some of which feature exciting updates for
2015. The ever-popular Bubbles Workshop is back with a new twist. Continuing to amaze children in the
wonderful world of bubble magic, children can discover the perfect bubble mixture, step inside a giant
bubble and design their own bubble to create jaw-dropping shapes. Also updated for 2015 is Rocket Rail,
where visitors can learn about forces, engineering and aerodynamics and Light Fantastic, which explores
the hidden world of light, enabling children to make their own colored flashlight and ultraviolet torch.
Returning on a whole new level, Oil Explorers will give participants the chance to become an exploratory
geologist in a fun, interactive workshop.
About Abu Dhabi Education Council:
The Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) was established in accordance with law No. 24 of 2005, issued by His Highness Sheikh
Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the UAE President, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and the Ruler of Abu Dhabi. The
Chairman of ADEC is H.H. Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and the ViceChairman is H.H. Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs. The Council seeks to develop education
and educational institutions in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, implement innovative educational policies, plans and programs that
aim to improve education, and support educational institutions and staff to achieve the objectives of national development in
accordance with the highest international standards.
For more information about ADEC please call its headquarters at +971 (2) 6150 000 or visit our website: http://www.adec.ac.ae
ADEC Media Contact:
Dina El Shammaa
Senior Media Specialist
Strategic Comm & Media
Tel: +971 2 6150 000 / Dir: +971 2 6150 948 / Mob: 050-311-9074 / Fax: +971 2 6150 082
e-Mail: dina.elshammaa@adec.ac.ae
About Abu Dhabi Technology Development Committee
The Abu Dhabi Technology Development Committee (TDC) is a government entity focused on the development of human capital
in the science and technology sectors. By creating a skilled innovative workforce to drive the UAE’s knowledge-based economy,
TDC is playing a crucial role in enabling the realization of the Abu Dhabi 2030 vision and the UAE Innovation Strategy.
We encourage the study of STEM and empower and support the society to become active in science and technology based
industries with the aim to ultimately shape a future workforce equipped with the right talent and aptitude for innovation.
To achieve this, we closely collaborate and partner with government, academia and leading industry to inspire creativity and
encourage innovation within the community. We have established a holistic set of initiatives that spark interest and drive
engagement in STEM related subjects with children from an early age, nurture their inquisitiveness with continuous mentoring
and support that extends beyond equipping them for the job market.
Our aim is to empower the future generation to drive a sustainable tomorrow for Abu Dhabi and to help position the UAE amongst
the most innovative nations in the world.
For further media information, please contact:
Hiba Berrekia
IPN
Tel: +971 56 663 0691
Email: h.berrekia@ipn.ae
Maitha Al Qader
Abu Dhabi Technology Development Committee
Tel: +971 50 4277427
Email: maitha.alqader@tdc.gov.ae