The annual Future Scientists Summer Camp, which concluded this week, has been declared a resounding success by the organisers, sponsors and participants alike. Hosted by Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP) and Qatar Scientific Club (QSC), the camp which ran from June 26 to August 18 saw more than 1,000 participants aged 6 to 16.The camp has earned the distinction of being a premier, annual educational initiative in Qatar, with a blend of fun and interaction using child-friendly methods of instruction. The learning approaches promoted by QSTP at the event have captured the imagination of children, parents and educators, since it perfectly balances science and fun.Sharing her excitement a young participant said: “I knew how exciting the 2010 camp was so I invited some friends to come along as well this year. We loved it because we learn while we played. Whether we are learning about magnets or space or we are experimenting with all sorts of things we get to have so much fun.” The children took part in a number of interactive activities each day, planned around the themes of music and sound, human biology, light, force, motion, electricity, ecology, health and genetics. QSTP first created this event as part of Qatar’s broader vision to become a global knowledge and research hub, with the aim of teaching the sciences to the county’s youth in completely new and exciting ways. The camp focused on the central themes in science and technology with highly interactive exhibits, workshops, computer sessions and activities that are both informative and entertaining.“This year’s summer camp introduced a host of new and exciting activities to the programme, giving our young scientists a range of learning opportunities that have never been available in Qatar,” said QSTP communications director Khalid al-Mohannadi.“With the world of science evolving so rapidly, our ambition is to introduce children to aspects of science they would have never previously encountered in schools and in ways that really bring it to life for each of them.”In an event marking the close of this year’s summer camp, QSC’s Rashed al-Ibrahim said: “The Future Scientists Summer Camp welcomes children of all nationalities and backgrounds to experience science in ways they never have before. “Our goal is to make the learning experience fun, and to inspire our participants to making science a personal interest as well as an academic one.” He thanked Sony, Cornerstone Learning Centre and Huawei for being the sponsors of the event.With the success of this year’s summer camp, QSC and QSTP have already begun with preparations for the 2012 event, promising an even broader and more exciting programme involving engineering, computer animation, robotics and game development.