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Bringing science and engineering to life in schools and communities across Qatar.
The Science and Engineering Road Show is a public service program, sponsored by Qatar Petrochemical Company (QAPCO) and HBKU, with two complementary and interlocking goals: to entertain and educate students using engineering and science. The program consists of demonstrations of chemistry, physics, and engineering using props and gear created to instill a sense of wonder in your students. The demos will be explained to educate the underlying principles of the experiments. Topics covered include chemical reactions, pressure, fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, polymers, and much more. Students will have the opportunity to interact with demonstrations for a fun and hands-on experience.
The show will be conducted in English with supplemental Arabic, if possible. Presenters have years of expertise in performing demonstrations for school-age children.
School Visits
The Science and Engineering Road Show is currently taking registrations from schools for the spring 2025 semester. Please note that registration requests may be submitted only by a school’s administrators or principal. Parents who wish to have the Road Show visit their children’s school should contact the school’s administration for a Road Show visit.
After completing the Road Show registration, you will receive a confirmation email to secure your date. Our Road Show staff will schedule a brief site visit a few weeks before the day of the program to monitor the staging area, safety aspects, volunteer opportunities, and show timings. On the day of the show, the Road Show van will arrive one hour before showtime to set up and prep for the performance. Be sure to review the school preparation letter and road show requirements form.
Preparations
The Road Show does require assistance from members of the school to provide a safe and controlled environment to entertain the students. Below is a list of all requirements:
- A site visit at least one week before the performance will be required to ensure the staging area or demonstration space meets safety criteria.
- Minimum of four meters separation between the staging area and students.
- The staging area should be able to accommodate two (2x) two-meter folding tables with nearby electrical outlets, plus one additional small folding table.
- We require access to the staging area a minimum of 1.5 hours before the demonstration starts, with at least 30 minutes to prep between shows.
- The area must have access to fire exits and remain clear of obstructions.
- The area must have access to a water source, such as a bathroom sink.
- The area must have two chairs off-stage for presenters and one large garbage can for disposal of cleanup materials.
- Students should be strictly supervised by teachers or administrations and not allowed to enter the staging area.
- Students and spectators should also not be directly on the right or left of the staging area.
- The shows should be performed in an auditorium or large assembly area to maximize the number of students, as long as safety measures and safety exits are kept clear. Our recommended maximum capacity for one show would be between 150-200 students.
- Access to a loading/unloading area with access to the staging area.
We at HBKU take the safety of all students, teachers, and spectators very seriously. As such, we have crafted our demonstrations to follow the guidelines set forth by the American Chemical Society (ACS), division of chemical education for public science demonstrations. The guidelines were created based on current best practices and provide a checklist of key issues for demonstrators to ensure that science demonstrations are conducted safely and without incident. A summary of these guidelines can be found here.
- Project safety analyses (PSAs) for each demonstration were created, reviewed, and approved by the Qatar Foundation, Texas A&M University at Qatar, and QAPCO’s environmental, health, and safety coordinators. These documents include a risk assessment of all demonstrations along with steps taken to mitigate and ameliorate any undue risk. A PDF of these PSAs can be provided via email. Please note that not all demonstrations listed in the PSAs will be performed at the show.
- The use of any toxic, flammable, or hazardous substances has been kept to a bare minimum, and will always be under the control of the presenters; including any waste products. HBKU will provide the Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) for all chemicals used during the demonstrations. SDSs provide summaries of chemical properties, hazards, safe handling, and emergency control procedures. This can be a large document, so a PDF can be emailed.
- No open flames will be used during these demonstrations. Some demonstrations will involve the assistance of members of the audience, but any materials handled will be non-toxic, under strict supervision, and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) will be provided at all times. A plastic tarp or sheeting will also be used in case of spills. Spill kits and fire extinguishers will be provided and kept on hand by the Road Show presenters. The presenters will always wear cotton pants, cotton shirts, closed-toed shoes, laboratory coats, and eye protection when needed during the demonstrations.
If members of the audience wish to be included as potential participants, they must be wearing closed-toed shoes, all jewelry on the hands will be asked to be removed, and ghutras or shaylas may be asked to be tucked into the appropriate attire.
During the presentations, photographs and videography may be taken by HBKU representatives.
Before the performance, any individuals who may be photographed or videotaped need to have a signed release form from HBKU. Students require this form to be signed by their parents or guardians. Anyone not wishing to appear in photographs or videos should be seated away from the staging area.