Little ones are exploring the fascinating world of engineering at the 35th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), which is currently underway at Expo Centre Sharjah. The fair is hosting a series of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) workshops for children, with its sessions on making catapults, straw rockets, blimps and truss bridges designed to engage young minds through the medium of fun.
Run by educational organisation ‘Engineering for Kids,’ the STEM sessions are being held under SIBF 2016’s Kids Activities programme, with the workshop leaders explaining how they aim to create the engineers, designers, aeronautic experts and scientists of the future.
“Engineering for Kids follows ‘DEP’ – the Design Engineering Process, but our workshops are specially formulated for children. We aim to show them that engineering is something that is enjoyable by teaching them how to make working model bridges, airships, rockets and catapults. It’s all about facilitating children’s learning and opening up their minds to new possibilities in a fun environment. It is certainly very rewarding when you see the kids’ reactions after they have made a successful working model,” said Steve Racsa, a teacher by profession and one of the leaders of the workshops.
SIBF 2016 continues at Expo Centre Sharjah until Saturday November 12, with Engineering for Kids continuing on its Kids Activities programme. ‘Truss Bridge,’ ‘Catapult’ ‘Straw Rocket’ and ‘Blimp Blitz’ are just four of the 1,417 activities taking place at the event, which is also hosting a Cultural Activities programme, a Cultural Café, a Cookery Corner and a Social Media Café.