What is the problem we are addressing?
Science readings are one of the most important aspects of human and economic evolution in modern societies. Today, a large portion of Arab youth are introduced to the importance of exploring scientific and technical advances through methodological reading and assimilation of the basic scientific facts that govern our world's evolution. However, questions related to climate change, water resources, desertification, space exploration, renewable energy, food security and others that define the sustainable development of Qatar and the region remain poorly understood, let alone available in the public domain for readers.
What is our solution?
Science Book Forum, an initiative to encourage science reading. This is achieved by holding public forums that discuss influential books and scientific papers on crucial topics of general interest, and by addressing scientific misconceptions. We will also host monthly follow-ups for readers to meet scientists and the authors of the books discussed in the forums in addition to Astronomy club and hands on project like Arduino. Our objectives are to:
- Encourage the next generation to enroll in science and engineering studies in Qatar and the MENA region by igniting their scientific curiosity and critical thinking through reading science books.
- Host public discussions on scientific books and ideas that have substantially changed human intellectual evolution, especially in areas relevant to the Arab region.
- Establish the Library as the first library in the region with a science reading initiative that helps communicate scientific questions of relevance to Arab readers nationally, regionally and worldwide.
An overview of our impact
In 16 events, we have reached 35,550 attendees and 2,155,803 on social media interaction.
We became the most famous program that attracts attendees to the library. Internationally, our forum in Germany during our participation in the Book Fair Frankfurt with the global publisher Springer Nature has been attended by about 180 students coming from all over Germany.
Examples of implementation
- In the first forum titled as “Science Forum as a Motor of Peace”, the library opened the curtains of the special event area to accommodate the attendees as the number exceeded 700 attendees.
- In the second forum “Landing on Mars (Insight Mission)”, the library opened its gates for the first time after working hours to receive the attendees at 11:00 pm, we have received that day more than 900 registration which made the library print invitation cards to host only 350 persons for safety reasons.
- Signed MoU with Springer Nature and became Global Sky Partner with Las Cumbres Observatories (LCO).
What are our future goals?
Organize hands on projects like Arduino and events like Maker Faire. In the future phase, we will have field trips for students to explore key areas where evidence of climatic and geological changes are occurring to introduce them to understand the different complex forces of environmental changes in nature such as volcanic areas, natural reserves, coastal erosion, sea ice melting, glaciers melting and support the libraries in Arab world advancing its scientific programs and also to have an international presence for the SBF.
How can someone else implement it? What do they need?
He should believe in how important is scientific reading and to deliver activities for students based on the knowledge and the read so they can feel the link of what is inside the books and real life, shifting scientific forums from being places where things are made or information is found to places where knowledge and ideas are developed and imagination and creativity are fostered.
