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For the very first time Bahrain will be represented by three young science enthusiasts at two of the world’s leading conferences for scientists of the future.
Their aim is to come up with solutions and ideas for tackling climate change which have eluded and baffled adults.
The London International Youth Science Forum (LIYSF) and the Greening Cities Conference will be held in London in July.
Selected and sponsored by the British Council from nine candidates, the students will have a fabulous opportunity to interact with other young scientific minds from all over the world.
“Creating awareness about climate security issues is high on our agenda,” said Sandra Hamrouni, the British Council’s director in Bahrain. “By providing such opportunities we want young people to get together and think about issues involving science and climate change in a positive and interesting way.”
Ahmed Al Aali, 17, a student of Ibn Khuldoon School, will represent Bahrain at the LIYSF 2007.
He said: “I’m more into the practical stuff. I don’t like theories that can never be proved or disproved. I like physical, substantial things that I can work with.”
Ahmed is passionate about technology. His days and nights are spent researching and learning about the latest in the world of science. He is fascinated about how technology works and spends on an average of six hours a day chatting online with like-minded people.
Bahrain’s Modern Knowledge School chemistry teacher Ghada Elnasher said: “Ahmed’s foundation in science is very strong. He is up-to-date on scientific events and carries himself with confidence. He was far ahead of the other candidates and it was clear he would be selected.”
In his spare time Ahmed has pulled apart computers and laptops to understand how the circuitry works and has built an AM/FM radio, a solar powered two-way walkie-talkie and a gun that can shoot darts.
His portable concept AC won the first place in the Bahrain Science Fair last year. “Unfortunately,” he said, his latest creation, Robot S.E.N.T.I.N.E.L. (Synthetic Electronic Neohuman Trained for Immediate Nullification and Efficient Learning), suffered minor technical snags and managed to secure only a second place at the recent Bahrain Science Day this year.
The robot, built on a security development platform, cost him BD300, one month of planning and three days to assemble.
Currently linked to a computer he is testing the equipment for an Internet or phone-based command.
Ahmed is excited about his forthcoming trip to London. His plans are already in place. He wants to build an online community in Bahrain who can discuss and debate scientific issues in the kingdom.
One day, he dreams of building solar-powered cars, water-powered boats and seeing ‘Made in Bahrain’ goods in the supermarkets.
Shaikha Reem bint Abdulla Al Khalifa, 16, from Bahrain Bayan School, was greatly moved when she saw Al Gore’s environmental documentary An Inconvenient Truth. Her quest for understanding the issues led her to take environmental systems in school this year. “I am especially interested in the effects man has on the environment, the atmosphere, the deprivation of the ozone and global warming,” she said.
Reem believes that Bahrain has neglected its environment and was horrified when she visited Tubli on a study trip.
“All around me were dead fish and algae. My white boots had turned yellow in the sea,” she exclaims.
This led her to do a prize-winning project, along with her friend Hiba Tawfiq, on thermal pollution in Bahrain’s seas surrounding Asry beach and Amwaj islands to uncover how it affects biodiversity and water.
She wants to pursue international relations and is planning to send an email to Al Gore inviting him to Bahrain to speak about her favourite subject.
Reem will be joined at the Greening Cities Conference by Jassim Mohammed AlDurazi, 16, an International Baccalaureate (IB) student at Naseem International School.
A keen athlete, Jassim won the first prize in the functional projects category along with his classmate Noor Nabeel Alwan, for a project on a solar power pasteuriser. Created out of a dismantled solar cooker, a shoe box and aluminium foil, the instrument is meant to use solar power to kill bacteria in water.
Jassim represented India in the annual Model United Nations (MUN) this year. He is passionate about football and has played for his school in Bahrain and abroad. With a leaning towards biology, Jassim has his heart set on becoming a doctor one day.
LIYSF will bring together around 250 students, from over 60 countries around the world. This year, participants will debate, discuss and listen to expert scientists speak on ‘Managing the Warming World.’
The Greening Cities Conference is a three-day student summit focusing on climate change that gives students from around the world a chance to debate the obstacles and opportunities that cities present us in confronting climate change.
By Anasuya Kesavan
anasuyak7@gmail.com
