A three-month exhibition, “The ExxonMobil STEAM Festival”, a collaboration between the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) and ExxonMobil Qatar to promote science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) through Qatar’s heritage, opened yesterday.
The inaugural edition of the festival is open from August 27 to November 28 at the NMoQ’s Temporary Exhibitions Gallery 2 and presents a new approach to learning.
A large number of children from various schools are taking part in a number of workshops and other activities at the festival.
The programme will welcome school groups on weekdays and families at weekends.
Speaking to *Gulf Times, Amal al-Malki, safety, security, health and environment adviser at ExxonMobil Research Qatar, said the initiative aims to encourage children in STEAM.
“ExxonMobil has partnered with the National Museum of Qatar to promote learning through art,” she said.
“There will be several workshops, and different sections of this festival have different areas to focus on,” al-Malki added. “We are focusing on the initiative 'Mangrove Lab' to highlight the mangroves in the country and how to preserve them. This initiative has grown out of our research to identify the conditions most suitable for mangrove growth in Qatar.”
She noted that since 2012, ExxonMobil Qatar and Qatar Museums (QM) partnered to create meaningful opportunities for learning and community engagement.
As a founding family member of Dadu and the exclusive sponsor of the Sustainability and Valuing the Environment Gallery, ExxonMobil Qatar reinforces its long-term commitment to education and community development.
Spanning multiple museum spaces, the STEAM Festival combines hands-on experimentation, interactive workshops, and science-based activities designed to link modern enquiry with the nation’s culture, environment, and history.
“The festival brings a fresh approach to how we use museum spaces for learning and discovery, creating opportunities for young audiences to learn, experiment and develop new skills,” said QM chief executive Mohammed Saad al-Rumaihi. “We are pleased to continue our partnership with ExxonMobil Qatar and to give young audiences new ways to learn within the museum.”
"At NMoQ, STEAM learning begins with the stories, knowledge, and environments that have shaped Qatar for generations,” said NMoQ director Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Hamad al-Thani.
“At the ExxonMobil STEAM Festival, we invite children and families to learn about the work being done to restore Qatar’s natural heritage and uncover the science and ingenuity behind the rich maritime heritage of the Arab world,” he said. “By connecting past knowledge with future possibilities, we hope to inspire the next generation of critical thinkers, creative problem-solvers, and engaged citizens.”
“We believe education is one of the most important investments we can make, and initiatives like this advance children’s and families’ learning through exploration while connecting with the heritage and traditions that shape Qatar’s identity,” said Rashid al-Hajri, vice-president and manager of Public and Government Affairs at ExxonMobil Qatar.
“The ExxonMobil STEAM Festival reflects the strength of our partnership with Qatar Museums and our shared commitment to making learning accessible and meaningful for the community,” said ExxonMobil Qatar president and general manager Taher Hamid. “We are pleased to support initiatives that contribute to the development of future talent and innovation and create lasting impact.”
A primary anchor of the festival is the STEAM Lab, featuring zones customised for different age groups.
Highlights include the DADU Light Atelier for young children, the ExxonMobil Research Qatar x DADU – Mangroves Lab, centred on marine biology activities, and the NMoQ Roots of Routes zone, where visitors will build traditional tools such as the kamal (a traditional celestial navigation device) and dhow boats.
