Thursday 23 / January / 2025
Muscat: United Private Schools (UPS) recently celebrated its inaugural STEM Week Festival. It was a showcase of unity and togetherness from both students and teachers. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, and it's a field that is growing in importance worldwide. The festival culminated with the UPS Stem Expo – an opportunity for students and teachers to come together and collaborate on STEM projects.
Communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity were key skills showcased during the exhibition. Students were given the opportunity to create different projects with guidance from their teachers. The projects were impressive, ranging from robotics to coding, and students were able to work together to bring their ideas to life.
"The event demonstrated all that is good about what is happening at UPS," said Director of United Private Schools, Charles Morris. "Visitors to the exhibition at either campus would have been impressed with the planning, execution, and administration of the project. I would like to express my gratitude to each member of our staff team for their efforts in ensuring that our students had the best opportunities to showcase their STEM skills. As I walked around the exhibition, I was struck by the students' imagination and their innovative ideas for Oman's future. I saw a lot of thought given to alternative energies, irrigation possibilities, and water desalination projects. My hope is that this project will inspire at least some of the students to pursue a lifelong passion for science, technology, engineering, and maths."
One important aspect of this creativity expo at UPS was the respect for Omani values. UPS is committed to upholding and promoting the cultural heritage of Oman, and this was evident in the projects that were showcased. Students were able to combine their technical skills with their knowledge of Omani culture to create projects that were truly unique.
It's worth mentioning that United Private Schools is a Cambridge International School that offers a range of Cambridge curricula, including Cambridge Primary, Secondary Checkpoint, IGCSE, and A Level. The Cambridge teaching and learning program is known for its rigorous academic standards and its emphasis on developing critical thinking skills. Ahmad Assaf, the Cambridge Senior Manager for the Middle East and Gulf Countries, was impressed with the projects showcased during the school's innovation day, a testament to the quality of education provided by UPS.
In addition to the expo celebration, UPS has another exciting development in the works. The school is moving to a new, bigger, and more sophisticated building in Al Khoud. The new building will provide students with state-of-the-art facilities and an even better learning environment.
Hamza Plummer, the event organiser, expressed his gratitude for the partners who supported the event, saying, “They really stood out and generously gave their all to support our cause. Nothing was exchanged besides the passion, desire, and hunger to inspire. We extend our heartfelt thanks to IDP Education, Internet of Things Gates, and Gulf Leco, for their warm, invaluable, and truly memorable support. May Allah bless you all."
Overall, the STEM exhibition at United Private Schools was a success, highlighting the school's commitment to providing a high-quality education that combines academic excellence with cultural awareness. With the move to a new building soon, UPS is set to continue its tradition of excellence for years to come.
United Private Schools | @myeduzoneUPS
IDP Education | idp.com/oman
Internet of Things Gates | iotgates.com
Gulf Leco | gulfleco.com
