Doha:The National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ), in partnership with Qatar University's College of Education, has concluded a two-day workshop aimed at introducing future educators to practical methods for incorporating Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) into classroom teaching through museum-based learning.
According to Qatar News Agency, the workshop, part of the ExxonMobil STEAM Festival, hosted 36 undergraduate education students, including those preparing for or engaged in school-based teaching practice. The program focused on NMoQ's strategy of linking Qatar's heritage, museum collections, and cultural knowledge with STEAM education. Participants engaged in activities, workshops, and discussions to explore how museum-based learning can enhance classroom instruction, support curriculum delivery, and offer new perspectives on understanding STEAM concepts through objects, stories, and place.
Nadya Al Saleh, Director of the ExxonMobil STEAM Festival and Acting Deputy Director of Learning and Outreach at NMoQ, emphasized that museums provide opportunities for extended learning beyond traditional classrooms. The program aimed to allow future educators to personally experience the learning activities, understand their development process, and consider how to adapt these methods for their own teaching environments.
Alshaima Alyafei, Section Head of Learning Support at Qatar University's College of Education, highlighted that the collaboration with NMoQ offered students an authentic learning experience, aligning with the university's focus on experiential learning, innovation, and community engagement. The initiative enabled students to connect theory with practice, gain insight into interdisciplinary STEAM education, and transform classroom concepts into meaningful, hands-on experiences. It also underscored the role of the National Museum of Qatar as a vital educational resource that enhances teaching and learning outside the traditional classroom setting.
The workshop also showcased the collaboration within Qatar's educational ecosystem, linking future teachers and academics with museum learning specialists and industry experts.
The ExxonMobil STEAM Festival is supported by ExxonMobil Qatar through its research division, ExxonMobil Research Qatar (EMRQ), and will continue at the National Museum of Qatar until November 28. The festival features various activities across the museum’s Digital and AI Centre, Library, and other learning spaces, including hands-on navigation workshops, a Silk Road board game, and storytelling sessions that integrate STEAM concepts with navigation, traditional boats, and Qatar's heritage.