Dyson launches “Engineering a Sustainable Future” programme in UAE schools

Dyson has launched the “Engineering a Sustainable Future” schools program in ten schools across the UAE in November and December. Dyson, in collaboration with the social impact agency Interact, manages the program, which inspires and excites 11-13-year-old students about engineering, innovation, and sustainability.

Four engineering challenges, made available for teachers to lead in their classrooms, promote design thinking, planning, and engineering solutions through hands-on activities.

Johannes Mueller, Head of Dyson B2B, said: “The ‘Engineering a Sustainable Future’ schools’ program is the perfect opportunity for young students to learn how engineering and innovation contribute to a sustainable future. The four modules expand their understanding of lean engineering concepts and provide insights into how Dyson engineers constantly innovate through fun learning and practical examples.”

The program is part of Dyson’s effort to positively contribute to sustainability and engineering education in schools for children by demonstrating what is possible while having fun.

Each challenge is built around specific learning objectives to assist students in developing new skill sets within Dyson’s areas of expertise. The four modules are as follows:

1. Indoor air quality – “How clean is your air?”
2. Sustainability – “How much oil?”
3. Innovation in engineering – “Homemade vacuum cleaner”
4. Hygiene – “The power of air”

Ten private schools in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are participating in the programme in its first year, including Aldar Schools’ Al Ain Academy.

Ian Pugh, Principal of Al Ain Academy, Aldar Schools, said: “The Dyson programme gave our students a new and engaging approach to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and nicely supplements our school’s teaching in this area. It has been great to see our students working together on various challenges. Building a homemade vacuum cleaner was a highlight, but they also learned how to calculate how much oil is needed to produce different plastic items. It was very enlightening for them.”

Dyson ran an exclusive social media competition for the participating schools as part of the program, with the top three winning prizes.

The Arbor School in Dubai won ten Airblade 9kj hand dryers worth AED65,000 for their school’s restrooms. Al Ain Aldar Academy received ten Dyson air purifiers worth AED27,990 for their classrooms. And Dubai British School Jumeirah Park won 30 tickets worth AED4,350 for a class trip to Dubai’s Museum of the Future.