Unlocking the mysteries of physics at the AUS Sharakah Physics Day

Delving into the intricacies of the universe, more than 400 students from 20 schools around the UAE embarked on a journey of scientific discovery at the American University of Sharjah (AUS) Sharakah Physics Day. This event provided a platform for students to explore the nuance governing the behavior of matter, energy, space and time.

Organized by the AUS Office of Enrollment Management’s Sharakah Program in collaboration with the Department of Physics in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), the Sharakah Physics Day saw school students compete in presenting 67 projects, ranging from hydrogen cars, robots and theft detection to magnetism and smart villages, of which seven projects received top prizes.

The festival of physics also saw students take part in fun games and a stage show “Physics in Action,” followed by a fun ice cream-making and serving experiment. Students also enjoyed a 360 immersive projection experience mimicking space in the Cosmic Dome in the AUS Rotunda. A laser hologram fan provided a visually stimulating approach to explore principles such as persistence of vision and optical illusions.

Enana Al Chaar, a grade 11 student from Sharjah American International School, Sharjah said the event proved to be an “eye-opener.”

“We gained insights into advancing our understanding of physics and had the opportunity to explore other student projects. Additionally, meeting with the physics professors was incredibly enlightening as they provided guidance on how to propel our project forward,” she said.

Nabil Al Halabi, a physics teacher at Sharjah American International, Sharjah, brought 51 students from his school to the event.

“There was a fantastic turnout. The event provided an excellent opportunity for our grade 11 students to broaden their horizons and gain new experiences, especially those who were involved in projects. In the Maglev Train project, students demonstrated how magnets can induce electricity in wires. Another project, the Arduino-based Laser Theft Detection, showcased how lasers, detectors and mirrors can be used to safeguard places like homes and banks by detecting any suspicious activity," he said.

Students also toured the university’s state-of-the-art laboratories and attended a physics lecture.

The Sharakah Program offers a wide variety of activities for high school students and teachers from partner schools. The program also helps high school students get ready for placement tests through the study skills workshops and offers training programs that support teachers in their professional development. For more information on the Sharkah program and the benefits it offers partner schools, visit www.aus.edu/sharakah.