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Thu, Oct 10, 2024 | Rabi al-Thani 7, 1446 | DXB
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AAESS students win environmental awards
A NUMBER of pupils of the Secondary Department of the Al Ain English Speaking School were delighted last week when they found out that they had won prizes in a competition held by the Environmental Research and Wildlife Development Agency (ERWDA) and sponsored by Marina Mall in Abu Dhabi.
- By
- Focus On Al Ain By Jgc
To be eligible, participants had to be attending a school in the Abu Dhabi Emirate. Categories included artwork for children aged up to 6 and between 7 and 9, short story writing for 10 to 12 year olds and craft/models made from used materials for children aged 13 to 15.
There was also a category for a research or scientific report for students aged 16 and above, which was split into individual and team entries. This was the category entered by the AAESS contestants and for which they were awarded first and third prizes in the team competition.
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The first prize was won by the quartet of John Wilson, Christina Ryan, Nada El Diasty and Peter Charnley for their innovative design of a water heater that can be used during the cooler months of the year using solar energy. Development included producing a prototype of the device incorporating recycled materials and trialling until an effective design was produced. The finished product allowed water to be heated up to very high temperatures in a very short period of time.
The group that won third prize devised a way of potentially saving thousands of gallons of water by simply adding a large stone to water cisterns to reduce the amount of water per flush of toilets. Cisterns hold far more water than is actually needed for hygienic evacuation of waste. This team comprised Kashif Sultan Ali Khan, Amy McCaskie and Atulya Padiyath.
In this category, a consolation prize was awarded to Sam SadŽghi for his individual project, a review of solar panels and their efficiency.
All the successful participants acknowledged that it was great to have won, but they were also in agreement that the environmental issues that they had become involved in, should be addressed by a greater number of the general public.
Approximately 90 per cent of Al Ain's water is now desalinated and thus water conservation should be one of the prime concerns in the region. Equally, conserving energy is essential and alternatives to traditional fuels should be explored.
All the successful projects from the AAESS students clearly met ERWDA's objective of raising environmental awareness and of promoting the consideration of possible solutions to environmental concerns.
Al Ain music appreciation group
THE next offering of the increasingly active and popular AAMAG will take place in the ballroom of the Inter-Con Hotel on Friday, 16th May.
Local residents Gabriele Malzahn (mezzosoprano), Stephen Aston (piano) with Jonathan Aubrey (clarinet) will perform a recital of songs and music by English composers of the 19th and 20th centuries, including John Ireland, Ivor Gurney, Peter Warlock et al.
Entitled 'Women's Lives, Loves and Longings', the concert will commence at 6 pm with entrance costing Dh 40 for adults and Dh20 for children.
Final Caledonian Society quiz
THE Caledonian Society of Al Ain has been a long established institution in the Capital of the Eastern Region, but due to a lack of general support the committee has been forced to end its traditional activities, at least for the foreseeable future.
A feature of the Caley calendar has been frequent quiz nights, usually three a year, but the curtain has been pulled down on these, too. Last week, the final quiz was held on the terrace of the H&J of the Inter-Con Hotel.
Three teams took part and, like the Dodo's race in Alice, all took home prizes. The winners were the Teddy Bears captained fittingly by Caledonian Chieftain Stewart Walker.
Quiz master par excellence Jim Doig also received a token for his sterling efforts over the years. Now Jim has perhaps more time to devote to a new interest.
He was recently appointed captain of the Al Ain Golf Club.
LIC year 'ends'
THE 'Year' of the LIC in Al Ain comes to a close on Tuesday, 20th May, and with it the term of office of President Nadia Al Ghoul. In her final newsletter to members, Nadia gives deepest thanks to the management and staff of the InterContinental, Rotana and particularly the Hilton Hotel for their continued help and support over the 12 months. Praise is also due to the work of the LIC Committee for producing a plethora of events, which have enabled members to meet with other ladies living in the Al Ain area to provide social, educational and multicultural activities. In support of Nadia, the following have been particularly active -- Elli Avdos, Jacky Godwin, Cassie Berry, Randa Mourany, Nora Nazarian, Hanan Matter, Daphne Gernetzky and Neena Abraham.
Today, the 5th of May, is a Meet and Greet at Tanjore Restaurant in the Inter-Con Hotel at 10am. The 12th May Coffee Morning at the Hilton will include a talk by Roc Cosmetics. Entry to both is Dh15.
The main event of the month, however, will be the International Night and elections on Tuesday, 20th May. The location is the Hilton ballroom and proceedings will start at 7:30 pm. A huge turnout is expected, both to enjoy the activities and to vote in the new committee. Entry is Dh30 for members and Dh40 for non-members.
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