Secondary School Research Experience Program (SSREP)

Overview of the Program

The mission of Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF) is to advance knowledge and education by supporting original, competitively selected research in the: natural sciences, engineering and technology, medical and health sciences, agricultural sciences, social sciences and humanities. It has launched three funding programs: National Priorities Research Program (NPRP), Young Scientists Research Experience (YSREP) and Undergraduate Research Experience Program (UREP) in order to enable and foster a research culture in Qatar.

Recognizing the importance of introducing the research culture at a stage as early as the secondary school level in Qatar, QNRF, in association with the Supreme Education Council (Education Institute) is initiating a new program: the Secondary School Research Experience Program (SSREP). This program aims to engage all students (Qatari and non-Qatari) in all secondary schools in Qatar (independent and private), under the mentorship of their teachers and/or subject coordinators in undertaking projects that are directly derived from the curriculum standards that are accredited by the Supreme Education Council (SEC).

The proposed project may cover the following areas: science, mathematics, social sciences, English, Arabic, and Physical Education and other areas that will be covered by the curriculum standards.

Benefits of the Program

SSREP will promote the tools of "Learning by Doing" and "Hands-On" research activities as effective methods in the secondary school education program. The students will gain their initial experience in implementing a modest research project to enhance their capabilities to carry out further university research projects.

The program is likely to enhance productive collaboration between teachers and students, and will help facilitate the awareness of the research culture, and the opportunity for school students to:

• Gain experience in problem-solving projects,
• Develop scientific enquiry skills and work independently,
• Understand research methods and introduce the idea of research as a career,
• Network with school members beyond the classroom, and possibly worldwide,
• Possible interaction with local industry and medical institutions.