1001 Inventions, UNHCR, and Al Alfi Foundation organized a one-week summer camp to introduce refugee children to the wonders of science.
Cairo, 9 August 2021 – 1001 Inventions introduced more than a hundred refugee children living in Cairo to the wonders of science in a one-week Summer Camp. The Camp was organised with the valuable support of Al Alfi Foundation and UNHCR Egypt.
Run from August 1 to August 5, each day about 20 children participated at the Summer Camp. The number of participating children was restricted to ensure individual attention and profound learning while maintaining health and safety measures. The Summer Camp was hosted at Al Alfi Foundation offices in central Cairo.
The Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) activities helped spark children’s curiosity in scientific concepts. With each session children travelled back to fascinating ancient times learning about Al-Zahrawi, Al-Kindi, Ibn Sina, Ibn al-Haytham, Jabir ibn Hayyan and many other scientists whose remarkable contributions still impact our world today.
Children were welcomed every morning by a team of local science explainers. They engaged children through ice-breaking games and a presentation of the exciting activities that would take place in the day!
1001 Inventions short films took children on a wondrous journey with fascinating stories of inspiring lesser-known pioneers from children’s own cultures and heritage. Each film presenting a specific STEM theme was followed by hands-on workshops and science demonstrations offering children exciting educational opportunities.
Such experiential learning experiences help excite children about science, understand principles of experimentation and critical thinking while gaining vital teamwork and presentation skills. Additionally, the activities provide means for positive self-expression and inspire hope in a better future for refugee children.
1001 Inventions local science explainers ended each day with a science show enthralling children with the mysterious wonders of chemistry.
With the support of Al Alfi Foundation, participating children will continue their learning journey beyond the summer camp with each of them receiving a copy of the “1001 Inventions & Awesome Facts from Muslim Civilization” children’s book.
This is meant to be a pilot project. The aim is to sustain this project to engage thousands of refugee children in the future in collaboration with UNHCR and Al Alfi Foundation. The programme expects to also have a sustainable impact and legacy through empowering the locally recruited team of science explainers who are hired and trained to deliver 1001 Inventions programmes, helping them hone their skills and gain valuable experiences.
About Al Alfi Foundation for Human and Social Development
An independent philanthropic foundation aiming at developing people with high capability to improve their surrounding social and economic environment. A high-impact foundation seeking the highest social return for our philanthropic interventions.
About UNHCR Egypt
UN Refugee Agency is a global organisation dedicated to saving lives and protecting the rights of refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. It works to ensure that everybody has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge, having fled violence, persecution, war or disaster at home. Their main objective is to help to save lives and build better futures for millions forced from home.
About 1001 Inventions
1001 Inventions is an award-winning, British based organisation that creates international educational campaigns and initiatives aiming to spark young people’s interest in science. 1001 Inventions believes in the power of culture and storytelling to encourage innovation and promote diversity and inclusion. As such, 1001 Inventions produces themed transmedia productions uncovering fascinating contributions of lesser-known pioneers from Arab, Asian and other Eastern cultures. Such creative public engagement productions cover a wide array of themes including health and wellbeing, machines and robotics, chemistry and its applications as well as animals and nature.
1001 Inventions has engaged with over 450 million people across the globe through effective grassroots outreach as well as working with a network of international partners, including UNESCO, the United Nations World Food Programme, National Geographic and leading academics to produce interactive exhibits, shorts films, live shows, books and educational resources that are being used by hundreds of thousands of educators around the world.
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