For a group ofQatari teachers, a day workshop full of playing with paper airplanes and wood gliders was more than just an opportunity to have fun. It was also a chance to learn a new classroom curriculum designed to help their students understand the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) thanks to a Boeing-sponsored program in partnership with the United States-based Museum of Flight.

A group of teacherschosen by the Qatar Supreme Education Council were trained by staff from the Museum of Flight on lessons to take back to the classroom about the science of aviation – from the principles of flight to the properties of air. Teachers then had the opportunity to build a variety of flying machines to test out these principles.

Fatima Al Rashid, Head of the Science Department at Qatar Supreme Education Council Curriculum Standards Office, said: “We were delighted to have Boeing at our recent conference on Education here in Doha, Qatar. Boeing helped facilitate an insightful workshop for teachers. It was great to see the teachers getting involved in the hands on activities. This is a good step in encouraging teachers to carry out such activities in their classrooms.”

The Museum of Flight is a private non-profit air and space museum in the northwest United States. Its innovative programs teach the principles of flight and aircraft design explore the experience of being a pilot or an astronaut in simulated real-time scenarios and examine the challenges involved in launching, landing and exploring another world.

The ‘Teach the Teachers’ initiative on the science behind aviation was one aspect of a week-long series of educational events organized by Boeing and the Museum of Flight. From May 10-14, museum staff hosted aviation-themed activities and hands-on demonstrations for students at both the Qatar Scientific Club and Qatar Academy. A large group of Qatari students participated in an airplane design course to explore the aerodynamics of wing design; a ‘Suited for Space’ challenge to build and test small space suits to protect objects in a vacuum chamber; and the ‘Robot Garage’ program to learn the basic engineering ideas behind robotics.

“Boeing is committed to bringing programs to Qatar that will inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers and aviators,” said Bernie Dunn, president of Boeing Middle East.“Education in critical STEM subjects are an integral part of a sustainable economy and reaching Qatar’s 2030 Vision, and aerospace is an exciting way to help students learn.”

Boeing and Qatar have a longstanding partnership in implementing STEM related projects and leadership development programs that contribute to Qatar’s future goals. For the past two years, Boeing has partnered with Qatar Aeronautical College to bring the Museum of Flight to the Al-Khor Fly In, where hundreds of students and aviation enthusiasts have participated in interactive programs. Boeing has also participated in QAC’s career fair, as well as hosting its engineering students at Boeing’s U.S. commercial aerospace production facilities. Boeing continues to invest in various development initiatives, from working with Qatar Foundation’s Qatar Computing Research Institute to providing career and leadership training for Qatari professionals and entrepreneurs.

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