Science shenanigans enthrall children at Al Qasba

Dubai / Emirates Business

The UK’s famous ‘Ministry of Science Live’opened its first ever show in Sharjahon on Tuesday with a bang, as students from the emirate were shown that science is a subject that should be fun rather than feared.
Held under the theme ‘The World is One Classroom,’ the 60-minute production unmasked many of the mysteries of science through simplebut captivating experiments that included fiery tornadoes, exploding ping pong balls and a CO2 fire extinguisher-powered spinning chair.
As part of the programme, which is currently underway at Masrah Al Qasba theatre, the Ministry of Science Live’s two presenters threw beach balls into the audience while dropping a bowling ball onto the stage to show the concepts of mass and weight, set balloons full of hydrogen and oxygen alight to reveal how gases support combustion, and created a mini volcanic eruption by mixing volatile chemicals. All of the experiments were undertaken with proper safety precautions.
The opening show in the Ministry of Science’s programme at Al Qasba saw more than 200 youngsters from Sharjah’s Australian International School, Sharjah as audience members, with the children excitedly interacting with the presenters who aimed to inspire their young minds to embrace the world of physics, geology, chemistry, astronomy and other scientific disciplines.
Commenting on the show, Sultan Shattaf, Manager of Al Qasba, Sharjah’s premier leisure, tourism and family destination, said: “The Ministry of Science Live show is the perfect blend of entertainment and education, making the subject of science enjoyable through aurally and visually exciting explosive experiments and how the universe works. Al Qasba is delighted to host events such as ‘The World is One Classroom’ as they engage with children’s minds and encourage them to learn and develop through the medium of fun. Al Qasba’s staging of these shows forms part of our commitment to the community, which is to provide access for all to culturally and intellectually stimulating activities.”
Billed as ‘100% educational, 200% entertainment, 300% explosive and 400% fun,’ The World is one Classroom’s opening show proved to be a highly interactive production that carried a central message that any child can become a great scientist, regardless of their race, gender or religion. The Ministry of Science Live draws heavily on the inspiration of such scientific luminary figures as Neil Armstrong, Isaac Newton, Leonardo Di Vinci, Marie Curie and Alexander Fleming as it interacts with its young audiences.
The final performance of the hour-long Ministry of Science Live for the general public is on Thursday at 7:00 pm, with seats priced at AED 50. Tickets can be purchased from the Al Qasba information desk and further information about the show can be found at the www.alqasba.ae.
Al Qasba is home to a range of world-class facilities and tourist attractions, including restaurants and cafes, the Kids’ Fun Zone, the Al Qasba Musical Fountain, the Eye of the Emirates Wheel, the Maraya Art Centre and two libraries, along with other amenities designed to meet the needs of visitors of all ages and from all communities.