Teach Middle East Magazine May-June 2018 Issue 5 Volume 5 | Page 9

“The students also loved their pins and were able to identify them as the Expo 2020 logo after the session.” The Youth Connect school roadshows have already reached more than 40,000 students from 140 schools in all seven emirates, with many more visits planned. Exclusive behind-the-scenes tours of history in the making Youth Connect is also welcoming schools to the Expo 2020 site even before the doors open in 2020. Nearly 1,000 students from 31 schools and universities from all over the UAE so far have been treated to exclusive, behind-the-scenes bus tours of the Expo 2020 site, followed by thought- provoking, hands-on workshops on innovation and themes of Expo 2020 Sarah Rafiullah, a senior associate in the Youth Connect team, says she relishes seeing the increased excitement of students after their tour of the 4.38 sqkm site. “It is really intriguing to hear such thoughtful questions from young students regarding the legacy of the Expo, or the stages of construction, or even the logistics across the massive site. It just goes to show they are really thinking beyond the physical site,” Sarah says. “They are taking the learning to the next level.” Jack McGuiness from Abu Sa’eed Al Koudery School in Hatta, Dubai, shared how the Expo field trip helped take the student-led project to the next level. “Our school is a long way from the Expo 2020 site, and up here in the mountains, it sometimes feels like we’re in a completely different country. So things like Expo 2020, where our students can relate to the rest of the UAE, are really important in giving them a sense of belonging,” McGuinness says. “The Expo field trip gave our students an inspiring platform to appreciate the UAE heritage and the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed, and how this ties in with the future through Expo 2020. “Ever since the trip, our students have not stopped talking about Expo 2020 and it became a natural real-life extension to our class. For example, during the subject life skills, when students had to learn to write CVs, they researched jobs at Expo 2020 and that got them very excited and engaged.” Practical, hands-on lesson ideas, resources and workshops for the leader of leaders Amin Tejpar is one of three educators who have joined Youth Connect to support in developing programmes that empower teachers with the knowledge to bring learning to life through Expo 2020. “Teachers and educators will play a critical role in ensuring that Expo 2020 leaves a lasting social legacy,” Tejpar tells TMEM. “We are striving to help students and youth take full advantage of this once- in-a-lifetime opportunity.” Youth Connect host teacher workshops to provide educators with an opportunity to make subject- specific connections to the Expo 2020 theme and subthemes and offer resources that are differentiated to cater for students of all ages – from primary all the way to high school. Youth Connect has reached more than 2,700 teachers and principals so far, through workshops at Ministry of Education, KHDA a nd ADEK events. But there are bigger ambitions. “We are working with teachers, who each have unique skills and expertise and are volunteering their time, to create hands-on, easy-to-use teaching resources that focus on the Expo 2020 theme, ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ (i.e. collaboration) and subthemes: Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability,” Tejpar says. The resources enable students to become familiar with the multiple topics within each theme. “When they come to Expo 2020 for one of our tailor-made school journeys, the students will be ready to take in much more knowledge and learning,” Tejpar says. Cecelia Rustoff, a teacher at Al Hosoon School in Al Ain, recently participated in an Expo 2020 teachers’ workshop. “The session has put everything into perspective: I now understand why the Expo 2020 is taking place,” she says. “I’m also able to make a link between Expo 2020 and what I can do in the classroom. I am excited about it and am really looking forward to inspiring my students to be part of this amazing initiative.” Sneak peek into the future at Expo 2020 Before TMEM leaves the Expo 2020 site, Al-Ali lets us in on a secret: “We have been working very hard on a special project just for schools. A new building next to where we are standing now is currently being transformed into a unique, experiential learning space that will welcome school groups from the new academic year in September. “It will be the first official step inside this exciting place and we can’t wait to tell teachers and educators all about it – not to mention seeing the students’ smiles come September!” To connect with the Youth Connect team, email [email protected] To find out more information, visit www.expo2020dubai. com/en/Expo-Youth/Youth-Connect Class Time | | May - Jun 2018 | 07