“Desert life and Plants” takes focus Bahrain science centre

desert&plant-edited

Bahrain Science Centre will be focusing on Desert life and Plants in Bahrain to help to increase the awareness among the Bahraini population towards their agriculture and its importance to the economy.

There will be workshops and talks conducted by professional speakers like Jassim Abdul Kareem, Ebrahim Hameed and Prof. Mike Bruton to enlighten the visitors about agriculture in Bahrain, best water usage, usage of drain water, plant and herbs that grows in Bahrain.

This talks will allow visitors to fully get involved in implementing what they have learn during their visit to the Centre and they will also be able to take home what they have planted .The centre will give all visitors gift packages of seeds and small plants.

During February there will be new events like minerals and rocks workshop, state of mater show, desert plants workshop and the scary skeleton tours. The Bahrain Science Centre is located in Building 334, Road 109, Block 801, Riyadh Avenue, Isa Town, Kingdom of Bahrain and can be contacted on 17686466.

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Press release issued on behalf Bahrain Science Centre. For further information, please contact Shereen Shabnam on +971 507690087/ 504828177/ shereen@mtestudios.com.

About Bahrain Science Centre (BSC):

The Bahrain Science Centre (BSC) is an interactive educational facility that targets children, youth and families of Bahrain. It is located in building 334, Road 109, Block 801, Riyadh Avenue, Isa Town, Kingdom of Bahrain. The science centre has six interactive exhibition galleries, an auditorium, four laboratories and a café/shop.

The role of the BSC is to promote awareness of the importance of science and technology, complement the school curriculum, stimulate curiosity and innovation, and create a forum for public debate on science and technology issues. The topics covered by current exhibitions include junior engineering, human health, the five senses, earth sciences and biodiversity.

Focusing on hands-on learning using interactive displays and people-centred programmes, such as science shows, Bahrain Science Centre also strongly promotes creativity and innovation as well as cross-generational learning. The science centre will also endeavour to promote an awareness of Bahrain’s contributions to science and technology and a strong Bahraini identity. It is an ideal family edutainment destination.

Bahrain Science Centre Displays project of Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa

Shereen Shabnam Sheikh Khalifa

As part of the “Bahraini Innovations” theme, Bahrain Science Centre is showcasing the inventions that are done by Bahrainis in the science and technology fields.

One of the showcases that is attracting attention at the Bahrain Science Centre is the car that was assembled in 2007 by His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Hammad Al Khalifa. It all started out as a school project. The son of His Majesty King Hamad created a hand- made car with a difference as part of his grade 11 and 12 physics project at the Ibn Khuldoon National School. He designed and built the car with the help of physics teacher Ghassan Afiouni and specialist welder Abdul Qassim.

The car is a two-seater, manual transmission; vehicle has a 2.4 litre Toyota Hilux engine and chassis, welded together with the rear of a Cushman garden truck. It comprises mainly of shaped piping, giving it a unique look. The car has remote-controlled doors, which swing open at the press of a hand-held device and the doors close automatically. In place of a rear-view mirror there is a camera at the back of the car.

However, the engine is started with a standard ignition key. The whole body is made of safe thermal, laminated glass and chrome. The body and the engine are LED lit and there is an in-built television and DVD player. 18-inch chrome wheels and a ‘mounted’ spare wheel at the back enhance the car’s sporty looks. The sound of the “extremely silent” engine is muffled by a triple silencer system.

The Bahrain Science Centre is located in Building 334, Road 109, Block 801, Riyadh Avenue, Isa Town, Kingdom of Bahrain and can be contacted on 17686466.

View a meteorite shower with Bahrain Science Centre

Bahrain Science Centre this month has a number of activities lined up as the theme of the month is Arab innovations and Invention and activities include an excursion to view a meteorite shower, interesting debates, workshops and science experiments.

On Thursday the 13th December, there will be a Static electricity demonstration at 10.30am and an animal story telling session at 5.30pm. Friday the 14th will feature henna and face painting experiences from 5pm onwards. The week finishes on the same day with a METEORITE SHOWER observation that will take place at Jazayer Beach, Southern Governorate at 8 PM until midnight.

An expert astronomer will be available to interpret the observations with a telescope provided by the center

The Bahrain Science Centre is located in Building 334, Road 109, Block 801, Riyadh Avenue, Isa Town, Kingdom of Bahrain and can be contacted on 17686466.

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Press release issued on behalf Bahrain Science Centre. For further information, please contact Shereen Shabnam on +971 507690087/ 504828177/ shereen@mtestudios.com.

Bahrain Science Centre to focus on Arab innovations

Kids learn via interactives, talks, debates and workshops at Bahrain Science Centre

The theme of activities in the Bahrain Science Centre during December 2012 and January 2013 will be ‘Bahraini Innovation’, but this topic will be broadened to also include innovations and superlatives from the whole Arab world.

Bahrain boasts many superlatives of its own. It has archaeological records of one of the oldest known civilizations (Dilmun), and the largest number of burial mounds in the world (originally over 85 000). It also features in the world’s oldest and most enduring piece of literature, the ‘Epic of Gilgamesh’, in which Bahrain was the home of eternal youth.

The first oil strike in the Middle East was made in Bahrain (1931/32) and the first oil exports from an Arab country were from Bahrain (1930s). Bahrain was also the first Arab country to begin diversifying its economy away from total dependence on oil and gas (ca 1975).

In the fields of scientific discovery and technological innovation, Arab countries can boast many firsts through the pioneering works of the Abbas bin Firnas, al-Kindi, the Banu Musa brothers, al-Razi, al-Muradi, al-Jazari, Ibn Khaldun, Ibn al-Haitham, Taqi al-Din and many others, but that’s another story.

The Arab world today boasts many world firsts and superlatives on the engineering front. These include the first city (Uruk in Iraq; 3200 BC), earliest high-rise building city (Shibam in Yemen; 16th century), tallest building in the world (Burj Khalifa in Dubai; 828 m), tallest hotel as part of a multiplex (Makkah Royal Clock Hotel; Saudi Arabia), tallest all-hotel building (Rose Rayhaan by Rotana in Dubai; 333 m), tallest hotel atrium (180 m; Burj al Arab in Dubai), tallest residential building (413.4 m; Princess Tower in Dubai) and the largest shopping mall in the world (Dubai Mall; 548 127 m²).

Then there is the 50 floor Bahrain World Trade Centre which is the first skyscraper in the world to integrate wind turbines into its design. Hence the building has received several awards for sustainability as the sail-shaped buildings on either side are designed to channel wind through the gap to provide accelerated wind passing through the turbines.  Tests show that the building shape has the potential to generate electricity.

The largest airport in the world is King Fahd International Airport (DMM) near Damman in eastern Saudi Arabia. Its area (780 km²) is greater than that of Bahrain! The largest alternative energy city is Masdar City in Abu Dhabi (6 km²; started in 2006) and the longest driverless metro network in the world is the Dubai Metro (74.694 km).

The largest draped flag is in Rayak, Lebanon (325 x 203 m) and the longest straight road (240 km) is in Saudi Arabia (Harad to Badha). The Qatar-Bahrain Friendship Causeway (40 km) will be the longest causeway in the world when it is completed (the King Fahd Causeway, at 27 km, is currently the third longest marine causeway in the world).

Join us at the Bahrain Science Centre in December and January as we celebrate Bahraini, and Arab, contributions to the world!

The Bahrain Science Centre is located in Building 334, Road 109, Block 801, Riyadh Avenue, Isa Town, Kingdom of Bahrain and can be contacted on 17686466.

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Press release issued on behalf Bahrain Science Centre. For further information, please contact Shereen Shabnam on +971 507690087/ 504828177/ shereen@mtestudios.com.

About Bahrain Science Centre (BSC):

The Bahrain Science Centre (BSC) is an interactive educational facility that targets children, youth and families of Bahrain. It is located in building 334, Road 109, Block 801, Riyadh Avenue, Isa Town, Kingdom of Bahrain. The science centre has six interactive exhibition galleries, an auditorium, four laboratories and a café/shop.

The role of the BSC is to promote awareness of the importance of science and technology, complement the school curriculum, stimulate curiosity and innovation, and create a forum for public debate on science and technology issues. The topics covered by current exhibitions include junior engineering, human health, the five senses, earth sciences and biodiversity.

Focusing on hands-on learning using interactive displays and people-centred programmes, such as science shows, Bahrain Science Centre also strongly promotes creativity and innovation as well as cross-generational learning. The science centre will also endeavour to promote an awareness of Bahrain’s contributions to science and technology and a strong Bahraini identity. It is an ideal family edutainment destination.

Bahrain Writer’s Circle meets at the Bahrain Science Centre

The monthly meeting of the Bahrain Writer’s Circle was held at the Bahrain Science Centre last Sunday. The meeting was attended by 45 people, including writers, poets, actors, newspaper columnists, editors and members of the general public.

The MTE Studios Director of the Science Centre, Professor Mike Bruton, gave a talk entitled ‘Brain Power: Boys vs Girls’ in which he discussed the structural and functional differences between male and female brains. Some of the main differences are in the way that men and women communicate and visualize three-dimensional spaces. He also discussed the impact of digital media on brain development in children, and pointed out the importance of ‘old fashioned’ three-dimensional play in the development of brain power.

A wide range of issues was discussed after the talk, such as how to achieve the right balance between conventional play and play on digital media, how to avoid digital addictions, and how to develop one’s creativity as a writer. After the talk Professor Bruton took members of the Bahrain Writer’s Circle and guests on a tour of the Science Centre, including the ‘Scary Skeletons’ exhibition and interactive galleries.

The Bahrain Science Centre is located in Building 334, Road 109, Block 801, Riyadh Avenue, Isa Town, Kingdom of Bahrain and can be contacted on 17686466.

Press release issued on behalf of Bahrain Science Centre. For further information, please contact Shereen Shabnam on +971 507690087/ 504828177/ shereen@mtestudios.com.

Bahrain Science Centre focuses on social media in November

Facilitator conducts a tour

Each month the Bahrain Science Centre focuses some of its educational programmes on a different theme. In November the theme will be ‘Social Media and Socialization’ and the Science Centre will be hosting displays, debates and discussion groups on the challenges and opportunities that social media present to people today.

The early 21st century is a time of wide choices, including choices on how we can communicate with one another. Although the various forms of social media and digital communications provide people with many ways of communicating, and the world is arguably better connected than ever before, many people still seem to be strangely disconnected from society.

Furthermore, those who make extensive use of social media seem to live in an isolated, virtual world and to have lost the skills of one-on-one live communication with other people. During a time of great connectivity, we are losing our communication skills.

The programmes in the Science Centre will discuss this issue as well as topics such as digital addictions, the impact of social and digital media on brain and child development, and the role of social media in the modern world. In addition, the Science Centre will present displays and talks on the history of computing and social media. Lessons will also be offered on how to access social media and how to design your own FaceBook page. Don’t miss these exciting events.

“The Ministry of Social Development supports the concept of having a different theme each month in the Bahrain Science Centre which focuses on science as well as how modern technology affects the youth today,” said Khalid Eshaq Alkoheji, Undersecretary for Community Development in the Ministry.

The month’s events will include a communications workshop by David Hollywood, a leading theatre and literary personality in Bahrain at 5pm on the 22nd of November. David is the chair of the Theatre Group, the Poetry Group, the Bahrain Writer’s Circle and is developing performing arts in Bahrain.

The Bahrain Science Centre is located in Building 334, Road 109, Block 801, Riyadh Avenue, Isa Town, Kingdom of Bahrain and can be contacted on +973 1 768 6466.

Press release issued on behalf Bahrain Science Centre. For further information, please contact Shereen Shabnam on +971 507690087/ 504828177/ shereen@mtestudios.com. For information on the weekly programmes at the Bahrain Science Centre, please contact Amna Aldoseri at amna@mtestudios.com.

About Bahrain Science Centre (BSC):

The Bahrain Science Centre (BSC) is an interactive educational facility that targets children, youth and families of Bahrain. It is located in building 334, Road 109, Block 801, Riyadh Avenue, Isa Town, Kingdom of Bahrain. The science centre has six interactive exhibition galleries, an auditorium, four laboratories and a café/shop.

The role of the BSC is to promote awareness of the importance of science and technology, complement the school curriculum, stimulate curiosity and innovation, and create a forum for public debate on science and technology issues. The topics covered by current exhibitions include junior engineering, human health, the five senses, earth sciences and biodiversity.

Focusing on hands-on learning using interactive displays and people-centred programmes, such as science shows, Bahrain Science Centre also strongly promotes creativity and innovation as well as cross-generational learning. The science centre will also endeavour to promote an awareness of Bahrain’s contributions to science and technology and a strong Bahraini identity. It is an ideal family edutainment destination.

BAHRAINI PUPILS PREPARE TO SET A WORLD RECORD

Ali Al-Hawadi, one of the Facilitators in the Bahrain Science Centre, using the ‘Memory Test’ display in the ‘Test your Talents’ gallery

World’s largest memory game to be held at the Bahrain Science Centre during Biology Week

The Bahrain Science Centre in collaboration with The Society of Biology will be part of a record attempt for the world’s largest memory game to celebrate Biology Week in October. The record attempt will take place in the Bahrain Science Centre at 4.30pm on Friday 19th October and is suitable for adults and children of all ages.

Anyone keen to put their short-term memory to the test can take part in the record attempt and learn about the fascinating world of neuroscience. The games will be simple and require no resources or preparation and will last 10 minutes. By sitting a ten-minute memory test, which has been prepared by renowned experimental psychologist Professor Bruce Hood, the pupils will be contributing to a nationwide scientific study.

Dr Mark Downs, Chief Executive of the Society of Biology, says: “This will be the climax of Biology Week, with schools, universities, and learned societies testing their memories simultaneously. We’ve been thrilled with the number of people who are keen to take part and we have high hopes for setting an impressive world record.”

According to Khalid Eshaq Alkoheji, Undersecretary for Community Development in the Ministry, the event is one of many planned at the Bahrain Science Centre to inspire and educate visitors about the life sciences.

“The involvement of the Bahrain Science Centre in the ‘Memory Test’ competition is the first of many international events in which the Science Centre will participate”, said Professor Mike Bruton, MTE Studios Director for the Science Centre, “The Science Centre is part of the international science education community and we are keen to strengthen our global network.”

Participants will sit a ten-minute memory test, prepared by renowned experimental psychologist, Professor Bruce Hood. The data from people of different ages will contribute to a scientific study.

Alongside the attempt school pupils will learn about how our brains store memories (or at least convince us we have made accurate memories!). Anyone who is interested in how the brain works, from remembering how to make a cup of tea to falling in love can watch the Society of Biology Brain Explorers video series.

Dr Downs says: “We hope the record attempt will highlight the importance of neuroscience research, especially into diseases like Alzheimer’s. The memory game is part of a series of events being held to mark Biology Week which runs from 13th-19th October and aims to inspire students about the life sciences.

The Bahrain Science Centre, located in Building 334, Road 109, Block 801, Riyadh Avenue, Isa Town in the Kingdom of Bahrain has several permanent interactive displays that test and develop the memory of visitors.

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Press release issued on behalf Bahrain Science Centre. For further information, please contact Shereen Shabnam on +971 507690087/ 504828177/ shereen@mtestudios.com.

Notes for editors:

The Society of Biology (www.societyofbiology.org) is a professional body for bioscientists – providing a single unified voice for biology: advising Government and influencing policy; advancing education and professional development; supporting their members, and engaging and encouraging public interest in the life sciences.

About Biology Week

The first ever Biology Week will take place on 13th-19th October, organised by the Society of Biology. Events around the country will give everyone the chance to learn about biology, the science of the 21st Century. www.societyofbiology.org/biologyweek

About Bahrain Science Centre (BSC):

The Bahrain Science Centre (BSC) is an interactive educational facility that targets children, youth and families of Bahrain. It is located in building 334, Road 109, Block 801, Riyadh Avenue, Isa Town, Kingdom of Bahrain. The science centre has six interactive exhibition galleries, an auditorium, four laboratories and a café/shop.

The role of the BSC is to promote awareness of the importance of science and technology, complement the school curriculum, stimulate curiosity and innovation, and create a forum for public debate on science and technology issues. The topics covered by current exhibitions include junior engineering, human health, the five senses, earth sciences and biodiversity.

Focusing on hands-on learning using interactive displays and people-centred programmes, such as science shows, Bahrain Science Centre also strongly promotes creativity and innovation as well as cross-generational learning. The science centre will also endeavour to promote an awareness of Bahrain’s contributions to science and technology and a strong Bahraini identity. It is an ideal family edutainment destination.

‘‘Healthy Diet’ is the monthly theme at the Bahrain Science Centre

Themed events draw Bahraini visitors to learn more about science

Each month, the Bahrain Science Centre in Isa Town develops a different theme for its educational programmes and for October, the theme is ‘Human Body – Healthy Diets’.

A healthy diet is essential for the well-being of people, especially in this age of fast foods, inactive life styles and marketing campaigns that promote the consumption of unhealthy foods and drinks. Healthy diets are an especially important issue in Bahrain as it has high child obesity rates and the incidence of diabetes and heart diseases in children is also high.

Until the mid-seventies, Bahrainis enjoyed a healthy diet based on fresh fish, fresh meat and rice, nuts, fruit and dates that were locally available through the natural food chain. Following the economic boom from the 1980s, a greater variety of foods became available, including processed products that are often less healthy than natural food options.

The increase in child obesity and associated health problems have arisen partly because there is too much choice available and the food supply chain is now dominated by imported and processed food from countries throughout the world.

What you should select to eat or drink is the key question that will be addressed in the educational programmes at the Bahrain Science Centre during October. Discussions, workshops, talks by experts and debates will be held on healthy diet choices and balanced life styles.

“One of the goals of an interactive science centre is to demystify science and make it accessible to the public”, says Professor Mike Bruton, the MTE Studios Director at the Bahrain Science Centre, “We try to provide the public with useful take-home messages about topics that are relevant to their everyday lives”.

“The Ministry of Social Development supports the concept of having a different theme each month in the Bahrain Science Centre, says Khalid Eshaq Alkoheji, Undersecretary for Community Development in the Ministry, “This allows the Science Centre to focus on different aspects of the wide field of science each month”.

The Bahrain Science Centre is located in Building 334, Road 109, Block 801, Riyadh Avenue, Isa Town, Kingdom of Bahrain and can be contacted on 343 606 31.

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Press release issued on behalf Bahrain Science Centre. For further information, please contact Shereen Shabnam on +971 507690087/ 504828177/ shereen@mtestudios.com.

About Bahrain Science Centre (BSC): The Bahrain Science Centre (BSC) is an interactive educational facility that targets children, youth and families of Bahrain. It is located in building 334, Road 109, Block 801, Riyadh Avenue, Isa Town, Kingdom of Bahrain. The science centre has six interactive exhibition galleries, an auditorium, four laboratories and a café/shop.

The role of the BSC is to promote awareness of the importance of science and technology, complement the school curriculum, stimulate curiosity and innovation, and create a forum for public debate on science and technology issues. The topics covered by current exhibitions include junior engineering, human health, the five senses, earth sciences and biodiversity.

Focusing on hands-on learning using interactive displays and people-centred programmes, such as science shows, Bahrain Science Centre also strongly promotes creativity and innovation as well as cross-generational learning. The science centre will also endeavour to promote an awareness of Bahrain’s contributions to science and technology and a strong Bahraini identity. It is an ideal family edutainment destination.

Weekly science debates initiated at Bahrain Science Centre

Our science centre is becoming a landmark in Isa Town Bahrain

After the amazing visitor response in the last two months where more than 3500 visitors enjoyed the science, art and craft workshops, Bahrain Science Centre is hosting a series of debates starting this month. Visitors are invited to participate in debates on topics which include marine conservation, nuclear energy, genetically modified food and organic food. With the Marine theme of the month, children and youth can also come and enjoy a talk which will take them through a spectacular journey to meet weird and wonderful creatures that live in the sea.

Getting visitors brains in motion with a series of exciting activities, the Centre will host debates, experiments (‘Experiment of the Week’, in which kids do their own experiments under the supervision of a science teacher), science-themed art activities, static electricity demonstrations, art workshops, MAD Science shows, animal story-telling and science talks. Visitors will be enthralled to experience the ‘Scary Skeletons’ exhibition lead by the team on a torchlight safari at the Centre. Entertaining and exciting activities are offered to develop essential life skills for visitors at the Science Centre, which falls under Bahrain’s Ministry of Social Development.

“Competitive debate is a challenging and highly rewarding activity for most who become involved in it.  The majority of people avoid public speaking, and debates provide a non-threatening environment to develop public speaking skills for the future. The Bahrain Science Centre encourages building these essential life skills in the youth and children”, said Assistant Undersecretary of Community Development, Mr. Khalid Ishaq, from Bahrain’s Ministry of Social Development.

The debates will help to enhance public speaking skills, build friendships among teammates, and develop research and analytical skills, often a characteristic that high-level business professionals possess. It also encourages listening and note-taking skills that help students to learn faster and obtain better grades.

“We are delighted with the enormous success of the Science Centre with over 3500 youths and children visiting in just two months, and we look forward to further successful events in the upcoming months at the Centre”, added Ishaq.

Currently operated and managed by MTE Studios, the Bahrain Science Centre is the first of its kind in the country and all the displays are designed to be educational. Schools in Bahrain started exploring the new Bahrain Science Centre by appointment prior to its official launch with great success since it first opened its doors in late March 2012. School groups are still being formally invited until the Bahrain Science Centre opens officially to children as well as families and adults in early October this year.

The Bahrain Science Centre is located in Building 334, Road 109, Block 801, Riyadh Avenue, Isa Town, Kingdom of Bahrain and can be contacted on 343 606 31.

Press release issued on behalf Bahrain Science Centre. For further information, please contact Shereen Shabnam on +971 507690087/504828177/shereen@mtestudios.com

Bahrain Science Centre summer workshops

Children engrossed during a story telling session at the summer workshop at the Bahrain Science Centre

Bahrain Science Centre summer workshops offering a wide range of activities that are concerned with scientific topics have proven to be a huge success amongst the children in the Kingdom. The summer workshops started early this month and over 600 children have already attended the workshops in the first 10 days with more groups registering every day. 

Commenting on the success, Assistant Undersecretary of Community Development Mr. Khalid Ishaq from Bahrain’s Ministry of Social Development said, “The camp is a huge success among children. Keeping children gainfully occupied throughout the summer holidays is a task for every parent and these workshops keep them constructively, educationally and enjoyably occupied.”

From science shows, story-telling, puppet workshops, talk shops, painting, craft to educational games, there’s something for everyone at the Bahrain Science Centre’s interactive workshops. A series of fun-filled games and hands-on activities encourage children to use their brains and to enter a world of imagination. Bahrain Science Centre storytellers bring tales from around the world to life. Entertaining and exciting activities are offered to develop essential life skills for young visitors at the Science Centre, which falls under Bahrain’s Ministry of Social Development.

Summer camp organisers and their groups who attended the workshops at Bahrain Science were amazed. In particular, Ghada Salem, Founder and Managing Director of Mums in Bahrain Society and Aysha Al Ghattan, Principle of Good Seeds Summer Camp, Al Eslah society were excited and overjoyed bringing their children to the centre to experience hands-on learning activities while enjoying the summer workshops.

Currently operated and managed by MTE Studios, the Bahrain Science Centre is the first of its kind in the country and all the displays are designed to be educational. Schools in Bahrain started exploring the new Bahrain Science Centre by appointments only prior to its official launch with great success since its opened doors late March 2012. School and Summer Holiday groups are still being formally invited until the Bahrain Science Centre opens officially to children as well as families and adults later this year.

The Bahrain Science Centre is located in building 334, Road 109, Block 801, Riyadh Avenue, Isa Town, Kingdom of Bahrain and can be contacted on 136 846 86.

About Bahrain Science Centre (BSC):
The Bahrain Science Centre (BSC) is an interactive educational facility that targets children, youth and families of Bahrain. It is located in building 334, Road 109, Block 801, Riyadh Avenue, Isa Town, Kingdom of Bahrain. The science centre has six interactive exhibition galleries, an auditorium, four laboratories and a café/shop.

The role of the BSC is to promote awareness of the importance of science and technology, complement the school curriculum, stimulate curiosity and innovation, and create a forum for public debate on science and technology issues. The topics covered by current exhibitions include junior engineering, human health, the five senses, earth sciences and biodiversity.

Focusing on hands-on learning using interactive displays and people-centred programmes, such as science shows, Bahrain Science Centre also strongly promotes creativity and innovation as well as cross-generational learning. The science centre will also endeavour to promote an awareness of Bahrain’s contributions to science and technology and a strong Bahraini identity. It is an ideal family edutainment destination.