Science expo showcases innovative projects to overcome common problems

AMMAN — The high percentage of car accidents in the Arab world encouraged 17-year-old Fatima Mtawaa to come up with a simple project to reduce their frequency.

“My project consists of barriers set up at traffic lights. The task of these barriers is to prevent speeding motorists from crossing the traffic light when it turns red so that they do not hit pedestrians or other cars,” the Emirati student told The Jordan Times as she showcased her initiative. 

Mtawaa was among 200 students from Asia and beyond, who took part in the Expo-Science Asia 2014 held at Jubilee School. 

Organised by the Jubilee Centre For Excellence in Education (JCEE) in cooperation with the International Movement for Leisure Activities in Science and Technology, the event showcased 65 projects, according to JCEE Director Ismail Hasan.

He noted that the event brought together students who are interested in technology, science and mathematics to present scientific projects. 

“The focus on the festival is to provide tangible solutions to resolve many problems facing society,” he said, adding that the event is held every two years and Jordan has hosted it this year for the third time.

The JCEE director said the festival also offers a platform for scientific exchange between the participating counties.

“It provides students with the chance to test their abilities with other students of the same age, and they can further develop their skills as well,” he added. 

HRH Prince Hamzah attended the expo’s closing ceremony on Sunday, presenting awards to winners, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Ten teams from the 24 countries participating in the expo won the awards.

The winners are from Jordan, Lebanon, Yemen, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, the Czech Republic, Palestine, Oman and the United Arab Emirates, according to Petra. 

Yahia Obeido, a 14-year-old Jordanian student, said the project he presented with his colleagues is about a smart home that opens to receive its residents automatically.

“It opens by a number of sensors including sensors for heat, light, security and fire. These sensors control the whole house,” he added. 

“I can also save power because if I am away from home and it is daylight, everything in the house will shut down,” he added.  

Obeido said he was happy to participate in the expo. 

“I saw many projects that I can learn from. I also had the chance to meet students from Arab and foreign countries.”