Ibn Al Haytham exhibition draws thousands of school students

AMMAN — As part of Jordan’s Year of Science 2017 (JYS), more than 24,000 pupils from public and private schools across the Kingdom visited the Ibn Al Haytham Exhibition, held at Ras Al Ain’s Jordan Museum last month, museum officials said.

The exhibition, inaugurated by Education Minister Omar Razzaz in the presence of HRH Princess Sumaya, was organised by the Royal Scientific Society, the Jordan Museum, and 1001 Inventions.

The expo received an average of 2,700 visitors per day, mainly from schools around Jordan, with the total turnout during the month “exceeding the number of visitors from last year”, the organisers said.

“It was a station for science, knowledge, educational and extracurricular activities, to introduce them to Ibn Al Haytham’s life in science from March 8 to April 8,” Museum Director Ihab Amarin told The Jordan Times recently.

Many school students from Amman, Irbid, Tafileh, Maan and other areas across Jordan visited the exhibition, he said, which catered to all their senses and stimulated their thoughts on different topics.

The exhibition consisted of several interactive pieces for students to “stimulate their scientific imagination”, according to organisers.

Leading Arab scientist Ibn Al Haytham worked in the 11th century, during the golden age of the Muslim civilisation and is seen as a role model in many Muslim and non-Muslim countries, with his accomplishments including contributions towards vision, optics and light transmission.

A short film about Ibn Al Haytham’s life, journeys and contributions to science, starring Egyptian actor Omar Sharif, was screened, and rooms were arranged with interactive activities that required visitors’ involvement, such as smart games, riddles and scientific experiments. 

The JYS believes in the important role of science, and aims to “reignite the spirit of achievement” that has defined Arab and Muslim history, Princess Sumaya said previously.

She added that the year seeks to highlight the contributions of Arabs in science, as “we have created history and have not just stood on the sidelines”.

The Jordan Science Year will hold other events throughout 2017, including the World Science Forum 2017 (WSF17), held for the first time in the Middle East under the patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah, with Princess Sumaya elected as the head of the WSF17.