24
September
2018
|
09:59
Europe/Amsterdam

EGA launches national STEM competition for high school students

EGA launches national STEM competition for high school students

The UAE-wide STEM challenge is now open to high school students in grades 9-11

The challenge is part of Engineer the Future, EGA’s programme to encourage young people to study and pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and maths


United Arab Emirates, 24 September 2018: Emirates Global Aluminium, the largest industrial company in the United Arab Emirates outside oil and gas, today announced the launch of a new national competition in science, technology, engineering and maths for high school students. The competition is called the ’EGA Aluminium Design Challenge’.

With a cash prize for the winning team, the ‘EGA Aluminium Design Challenge’ invites teams of high school students from grade 9 to 11 to apply the principles of science, technology, engineering and maths to create aluminium-based innovations in Futuristic Transport, Packaging for Humanitarian Relief, Architectural Marvels and Kinetic Art.

The competition is an extension of EGA’s ‘Engineer the Future’ campaign, which encourages young people to study and eventually pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. These fields are collectively known as STEM.

Abdulla Kalban, EGA Managing Director and CEO said: ‘Encouraging more people to study and pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and maths is vital for our industrial sector and for the UAE as a whole. The ‘EGA Aluminium Design Challenge’ will give high school students an opportunity to put STEM skills into practice and develop creative ideas. We hope that many young people will take up this challenge.”

EGA employs more than 1,540 professionals in STEM related fields, including some 500 UAE Nationals.

‘UAE Vision 2021’ calls for UAE students to reach world-class attainment in science and mathematics subjects and for the UAE to transition to a knowledge-based economy that focuses on innovation, research and development. EGA provides boys and girls equal opportunities to learn about STEM topics. EGA contributes to the country’s sustainable development goals with regards to quality education and gender equality.

EGA’s ‘Engineer the Future’ programme also includes hands-on interactive STEM workshops at high schools, which reached some 8,000 students during the last academic year.

Khalid Essa Buhumaid, Senior Vice President Government Relations, said: “We believe in engaging young people through hands-on learning to help prepare them for long-term success in STEM fields. As part of our corporate social responsibility we support youth by equipping them with the knowledge and competencies they need to succeed thereby supporting the country’s social and economic development.”

Teams can learn more about and register for the ‘EGA Aluminum Design Challenge’ at

https://www.ega.ae/en/ega-aluminium-design-challenge/about-the-ega-aluminium-design-challenge/

Submissions are open until 15 November. Five entries will be shortlisted for each category, and shortlisted teams will then build working models of their designs.

The program will also offer bootcamps for interested teams to learn more about the competition, scientific concepts and how to develop their designs into working prototypes.

Key dates for the Aluminium Design Challenge:

  • Registration opens: 24 September 2018
  • Submission deadline: 15 November at 11:59 PM GST.
  • Shortlisted candidates announced: 20 December 2018