Five groups of 8th and 9th grade Emirati students submitted their science projects to Google HQ today, to be judged as part of Google’s annual international science fair. The annual competition seeks out the brightest young scientists from around the world, encouraging them to design interesting, creative projects relevant to the world today. The Advanced Technology Investment Company (ATIC), in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) and Abu Dhabi University Knowledge Group (ADUKG), hosted the submissions as part of the broader ‘Tech Quest’ science program, introducing Emirati students to potential science and technology career opportunities.

“These students have demonstrated remarkable enthusiasm over the first week of Tech Quest, especially in developing their science fair projects” says Dr. Jihad Mohaidat, Global Partnerships Manager, ADEC. “ADEC is eager to develop the knowledge, skills and work ethics of our youth in supporting Abu Dhabi’s economic vision 2030. The drive demonstrated by the students of Tech Quest, as well as the projects and questions they’ve chosen to address, is truly remarkable.”

Maha Abouelenein, Head of Global Communications and Public Affairs, MENA, Google said “The Google Science Fair is part of Google’s broader commitment to increase access to education and encourage technology use in classrooms in the Middle East and around the world.” She continued. “Google itself was founded through experimentation and with the Google Science Fair, Google aims to inspire scientific exploration among the next generation of scientists and engineers, celebrate scientific talent, and create scientific role models in the UAE, the Arab region and around the world.”

Competition is a core to the spirit of advanced technology,” said Hanan Harhara, Manager of Human Capital at ATIC. “It has been extremely encouraging to see these ‘Tech Quest’ students working as a team, honing their thought processes and ideas, and demonstrating the drive that will lead the Emirate’s future advanced technology industry. It is a small step, but this process sparked something significant in the minds of these young students, a sense of what it takes to win in advanced technology.”

Ninth grader Faisal Abdul Raheem Al Hosani is exploring the use of lasers in reducing low visibility road accidents. During low visibility conditions, such as fog and sand storms, traditional lights may only make a car visible to surrounding vehicles for a few meters. Low intensity lasers fixed at strategic angles can increase that visibility up to three kilometers. Certain laser light is also naturally defused by car glass, meaning drivers gain awareness of cars around them without endangering their vision.

Eighth grader Mouza Mohammed Al Hamili is investigating the use of parachutes in reducing high-rise fire fatalities. Starting with scale models, she believes parachutes may be the key to allowing escape in conditions where traditional fire exits have been compromised. Similar instruments currently in use include a long steel cable one uses to descend the side of a building. Such cables can become compromised if one must descend past an area of open flame.

All projects will be judged by a panel of teachers and university professors towards the end of May. 90 regional finalists will be announced, which will then be narrowed down to 15 global finalists in early June. These 15 finalists will be flown to Google HQ in California for a celebratory Science Fair event with the final judging round to take place on the 23 July 2012. Prizes include once-in-a-lifetime experiences like a scientific trip to the Galapagos Islands with National Geographic Expeditions, unique scholarships and real-life work opportunities in iconic science centers of excellence like CERN in Switzerland.

‘Tech Quest’ follows in the successful footsteps of ongoing youth engagement initiatives such as the Summer of Semiconductors, placing a specific emphasis on reaching students entering high school. ATIC views such initiatives as fundamental to its broader strategic investment in the human capital base necessary to supporting the Emirate’s future economic diversification.

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