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This year’s ADSWS featured bespoke competitions and educational programs, engaging thousands of students from more than 30 schools across Abu Dhabi. A team from Al Yasmina School took the title of best Junior Abu Dhabi Solar Challenge, (JADSC) while high school students from Al Bateen Secondary and elementary school students from Al Yasmina School were crowned champions of the Sustainable Home Model competition.

JADSC taught students the basics of energy conversion, efficiency and sustainability. Teams of students aged 12 – 15 from 30 schools engaged in the competition, racing small wooden solar-powered cars on a 25m track. The winning team built a car demonstrating outstanding functionality at the highest speed.

For the Sustainable Home Model competition, teams built miniature family homes addressing issues like energy and water consumption, waste water management and sustainable building materials. With assigned backdrops including Ras Al Khaimah, Khalifa City A in Abu Dhabi and a mountainous area in Wales, students researched and incorporated specific geographic attributes into the design and overall functionality of the homes. The winning models were for houses in Khalifa City A that used a mix of energy resources to maximize efficiency.

Dr. Nawal Al Hosany, Director of Sustainability, Masdar, said: “I congratulate each of today’s winning teams. Bringing the schools together as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week in Schools provides a great way to showcase all they have learned and an exciting finale for the initiative. But it doesn’t end here. Masdar will continue to engage with the community over the course of the year and enrich the minds of our youth.”

Commenting on the program, Nadine Hassan, Head of Social Development and Partnerships, Mubadala, said: “We are very pleased with the results of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week in Schools. In addition to learning about sustainability, students were challenged to think critically, producing advanced home designs that tackled issues like water scarcity and energy conservation. We’re delighted with the students’ enthusiasm for the program, with many of them volunteering to participate in further activities.”

In addition to the core competitions, the program included life-size sustainability board games and infographics on key sustainability concepts shared with schools in Abu Dhabi. Teachers received manuals with information on sustainability and conservation, as well as tips and pointers for further in-school projects.