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Illuminating the Paths of Tomorrow’s Minds

Sharjah Discovery Centre: The Perfect Science and Tech Retreat

January 19, 2025 / 2:22 AM
Sharjah Discovery Centre: The Perfect Science and Tech Retreat
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Under the esteemed leadership of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the Sharjah Discovery Centre opened its doors to visitors in 1999. This vibrant educational and recreational hub caters to children aged 3 to 12, seamlessly integrating advanced learning techniques with engaging play experiences.

Boasting seven primary educational and recreational areas, the centre also features specialised areas dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge science and technology exhibits. These displays are designed with children in mind, incorporating unique shapes, vivid colours, and safe materials to ensure both fascination and safety.

Immersing in water activities and science: Water World

Sharjah Discovery Centre seamlessly combines learning and entertainment, offering children a range of interactive educational experiences. Among its highlights is the "Water World," a dedicated area featuring various water-related attractions, including playful fountains and a swinging boat model.

In the "Water World," children engage in hands-on water games, explore water dynamics through scientific experiments, and uncover the principles behind water phenomena. For instance, an engaging experiment allows children to press a button, releasing air into the water and causing bubbles to surface. Nearby, a written scientific explanation details why this occurs, highlighting the fact that air is less dense than water.

Additionally, the "Water World" offers opportunities for children to observe and learn about marine life behaviours up close. It includes plastic models resembling jellyfish, which young visitors can watch as they move through the water.

Revealing the human body’s secrets: Body World

The "Body World" area captivates children's curiosity about the human body, its organs, and their functions. Its captivating design fosters both interest and learning. Among the highlights of this area are large-scale models that vividly demonstrate how blood flows through the heart, along with other models of human organs such as the heart, rib cage, liver, and brain.

This area also hosts an interactive activity that allows young visitors to explore how their leg bones move. Seated on a chair connected to a large skeleton, children pedal as though riding a bike, watching the skeleton’s legs mimic their movements. This creates a dynamic learning experience that combines fun with education.

Recording TV shows and news: TV Studio

For children enthusiastic about exploring how television programmes are produced and recorded, the “TV studio” area at Sharjah Discovery Centre provides a fascinating experience. Children can use various equipment, such as cameras, sound systems, lighting, and advanced technology. They can also try presenting news and weather reports, later viewing their broadcasts on screens outside the virtual studio.

Driving through Sharjah's streets: Drive Town

Sharjah Discovery Centre is dedicated to promoting road safety awareness among younger generations. To support this mission, the “Drive Town” is designed to mirror actual streets, featuring electric cars, roads, and traffic lights specifically for children. Here, they gain a deeper understanding of traffic signals and road rules while experiencing the thrill of driving in a fun, interactive setting. This immersive, hands-on learning experience makes the process both enjoyable and educational.

Building models and structures: Build Town

Sharjah Discovery Centre invites children to engage actively through its diverse sections. In the “Build Town” area, play and interaction are seamlessly integrated to spark creativity and imagination. This area features a dedicated building zone equipped with specialised tools and equipment, enabling children to construct scaled-down models of various structures. Among the available tools are blocks in various sizes and colours, along with a crane designed to lift and position the blocks.

Enjoying travel: Sharjah Kids International Airport

At Sharjah Discovery Centre, imagination flourishes. A standout area is the "Sharjah Kids International Airport," where children can immerse themselves in travel experiences and explore renowned global landmarks—all within the centre's walls.

The adventure starts as children place their bags on an X-ray machine, discovering the essential steps of airport security. They then follow designated paths through the airport, leading them to replicas of iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben, and the Cairo Tower.

Engaging in sports and learning: Sports World

One of the key focuses of Sharjah Discovery Centre is to inspire children to participate in sports and embrace physical activity. The centre offers a variety of interesting activities in the “Sports World” area, including basketball, soccer, and wall climbing. These experiences are crafted to be both enjoyable and educational. For example, children can scale walls decorated with English letters, seamlessly integrating language learning into play.

Moreover, the Sharjah Discovery Centre is dedicated to inclusivity, providing equal opportunities for children with disabilities. A special basketball section has been designed in the “Sports World” area to ensure that these children can enjoy the same sports experiences as their peers.

Joining special activities at the centre’s other areas

To offer a comprehensive experience for children, Sharjah Discovery Centre integrates a variety of additional sections alongside its main areas. For example, the "Supermarket" educates children about balanced nutrition for healthy growth, while the "Storyteller" area presents engaging and educational stories that enhance their skills and expand their horizons.

Furthermore, the centre boasts unique exhibits like Oil Refinery, Talking Globe, Play with Colours, and Kids Corner, each designed to captivate and educate young minds.

Sharjah Discovery Centre is also committed to community engagement. It fosters cultural interaction among families by providing opportunities for parents to participate in various activities with their children. This includes workshops, educational programmes, training sessions, and summer camps.

In conclusion, entry to Sharjah Discovery Centre is complimentary for children under two years old. Additionally, admission is free on special occasions throughout the year, such as UAE National Day, GCC Traffic Week, and International Museum Day.

References 

[1] sharjahmuseums.ae, Sharjah Discovery Centre
[2] sharjahevents.ae, Sharjah Discovery Centre
[3] youtube.com, Sharjah TV, Amasi programme: Sharjah Discovery Centre
[4] visitsharjah.com, Sharjah Discovery Centre
[5] moec.gov.ae, Major Tourist Attractions in the UAE
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January 19, 2025 / 2:22 AM

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