Some of the students are seen during the experiments
Qatar University’s Materials Technology Unit (MTU) yesterday concluded its three-day educational and scientific workshop programme “Al Bairaq” aimed at motivating high school students towards an appreciation of science, scientific discovery and innovation.
The programme has been ongoing since 2007 and has gained considerable popularity with students and teachers, as well as with industry leaders.
Over the three days, some 300 students from around 13 high schools in Qatar, mentored by MTU faculty, participated in interactive lectures, discussions, lab experiments and projects designed to deliver an experience of science in a simple and more enjoyable way.  
Participating schools were Omar Bin Al-Khattab Educational Complex for boys,  Al Wakrah Independent Secondary School for boys,  Doha Independent Secondary School for boys, Ahmad bin Hanbal Independent Secondary School for boys, Jassim bin Hamad Independent School for boys, Khalifa Secondary Independent School for boys, Nasser Bin Abdullah Al-Attya Independent Secondary School  for boys, Rowda Bint Mohamed Secondary Independent School for girls, Al-Sheema Independent Secondary School for girls, Um-Ayman Secondary Independent School for girls, Al-Resala Independent Secondary School for girls, Qatar Independent Secondary School for girls and Arwa Bint Abdul Muttalib Independent School for girls.
On the final day, the students presented projects that put forward solutions to benefit the community before a panel of judges comprising representatives from such leading companies as ExxonMobil, Qatar Shell Research and Technology Centre, Msheireb Properties,  RasGas, Qatar Museums Authority, Tasweeq, Qatar National Food Security Programme and Dolphin Energy. 
Nasser bin Abdullah Al-Attya Independent Secondary School for boys emerged the winner, followed by Ahmed Bin Hanbal Independent Secondary School for boys in second place and Omar bin Khattab Educational Complex for boys in third place.
Winner for best product is Nasser bin Abdullah Al-Attya Independent Secondary School for boys while best poster was won by Al Wakrah Independent Secondary School for boys and best Facebook voting: Ahmed Bin Hanbal Independent Secondary School for boys.
One of the judges, Khaled Jufairi from ExxonMobil voiced his appreciation with the students’ focus and sense of civic responsibility, saying: “This programme unlocks the students’ talents and enhances their critical thinking to find concrete solutions for industrial, traffic and environmental problems. I encourage our local companies and organisations to participate in this invaluable project and witness first-hand the students’ scientific intelligence”.
May al-Mansouri, Wadha al-Ali and Khadija Ahmed from Al Sheema Independent Secondary School for girls described the idea behind their environmental air filter: “We care about children and the elderly who are forced to inhale cigarette smoke in closed environments.  Our project produced a small light covered by a chemical substance that could filter the air.”
Fatima Ali, Jazi al-Kuwari and Mariam al-Kuwari from Al-Resala Independent Secondary School for girls presented a solar cell that operates small electrical devices.
“The sun is a renewable and sustainable source of energy.  It is the future of our planet, if we learn how to use it wisely and scientifically. In this way, we were able to successfully operate an alarm clock and a small toy. Expanding this concept will ensure our children’s future,” Fatima explained.
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