BAE drags students to science with magnetism

Did you know that a magnet weighing just 10 grams is able to lift a car? Did you know that Florida has world’s most powerful magnet? All these interesting questions are put forward by BAE Systems, a London based arms manufacturing company that has been working in the Kingdom with the support of Ministry of Education (MoE) and British Council, in order to attract the Bahraini students towards science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The teachers of BAE, Mark Powell and Sophie Harker are using practical ways to teach the students about science. According to Sophie, the students are picking up the topics very well. During the one-week long programme, they would cover as many as four schools in Bahrain.

Senior Teacher for Science at the Al- Farabi Intermediate Boys’ School, Ali Hassan Jaffar stated that the project was highly beneficial to students and would help in developing their practical skills. “The event was good and the students interacted actively with the trainers,” Ali said.

According to Senior Curriculum Specialist for Science at MoE, Saeed Abbas Mahdy, the project would also provide an opportunity to identify students with talent in science and engineering, and also enable students to practice what they have learnt.

“Focusing on science, technology, engineering and mathematics is very important because it leads to progress, development and innovation. The workshops will motivate students to specialise in these subjects and will provide them with opportunities for discovery, innovation and problem solving,” Saeed said.

The arms manufacturing company had conducted similar programme during last December also. This time, they have been teaching the students magnetic science. The students explored the concepts of magnetic fields through the use of iron filings, the world’s strongest magnets and electromagnetism.

Head of Communications (Middle East and Africa), BAE Systems, Louise Robson said the training programme was only a beginning in the Kingdom.

“In the long-run, we will be having more such programmes in Bahrain,” she added.

The company, known for its achievements in the field of manufacturing defence products and services, has been present in the Kingdom for the last two decades. In Bahrain and around the world, the company is committed to supporting and developing the skills of young people, Louise said.