Young scientists at work in a laboratory.
Doha, Qatar: Building the creativity and innovation of students in the early stages is one of the most important pillars that enable them to develop their research capabilities in the future.
In this context and in line with the strategic objectives of Qatar University (QU), the Young Scientists Center (YSC), emanating from Qatar University’s Strategic Plan for Excellence and Development in Scientific Research, launched the second cycle of the Design Thinking and Innovation Programme for the secondary stage.
This year, students from six different secondary schools in Qatar are participating in the second cycle of the program. This programme, developed and delivered by a team of experts and researchers at the centre, enables students to enhance their design and creative skills by learning the principles of the design process. The process consists of the following steps: empathise, define, ideate, prototype, and test.
In this regard, the programme offers several interactive scientific workshops for secondary school students to apply these steps and use them to develop and find innovative solutions in the field of design, based on scientific, engineering, and economic standards and foundations. The scientific knowledge presented in the workshops is based on teaching strategies that emphasise experiential learning and the execution of scientific hands-on activities aligned with the concepts of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Additionally, it enriches the project-based learning approach through students’ projects in which the design and thinking process is followed and implemented. The practical activities of the Design Thinking Program were designed and prepared to include the subject of pharmaceutical packaging, in line with the curriculum standards for students.
Through these workshops, students acquire many skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, design skills, effective communication skills, collaborative work, and creativity skills.
In a statement, Prof. Noora Jabor Al Thani, YSC Director said, “The Design Thinking and Innovation Programme adopts an innovative and effective approach to provide students with problem-solving skills to produce creative designs at an early age, which provides them with future opportunities to apply them when practicing various activities in scientific research. The programme also works to empower students and expand their perceptions to enable them to devise useful solutions and models for contemporary problems.”
