Ramadan and Summer Camp - The Little Engineer

Keep your kids busy with something that would make them love learning and exploring this summer! The friendly and the best robotics education hub The Little Engineer is offering some awesome courses this Ramadan and Summer with a sensational mix of robotics, renewable energy and guess what? a bit of arts and crafts too!

Take advantage of the great Ramadan and Summer offer which is valid from 20th June to 6th August!

Here are the details of the Courses Available

Dates: Starting June 20th - June 25th (You can choose any 5 days thereafter)

Course Hours: 16 Hours Robotics or Renewable Energy +2 Hours Ceramiques. (Arts and Crafts)

Timings: 9am to 12 noon or 1pm to 4pm (You can choose the time slots)

Cost: QR1700 without Food for all 5 days

         QR 1880 with Food for all 5 days    

If the same students extend and continue another 5 day course, for the second course Cost will be QR1500 without food and QR1680 with food.

Age: 6 - 16 years

Venue: The Little Engineer Al Waab (GPS Location at www.rush360.qa search for Little Engineer)

Course Outline

• 3 Hours of Robotics every day
• Two days ceramics painting (One day 2 hours and the other day 1 hour)
• Students will have the choice between Robotics or Renewable Energy and one hour free of the other course. (Example if you choose Robotics you will get one hour free of Renewable Energy and vice versa)
• Students can extend their subscription to take another course in the other week
• Students will be placed in a suitable course level according to their age 
• If they have taken a course already they will be taking a more advanced course.

Play and Learn - Contributing to the Learning Process

Read more with details here

Learning through Play is fun, educational, advisable, stress free and it is the core of the learning process for children from a very young age! While this procedure takes its own course at each different stages of every child, adult intervention from the beginning as a facilitator would definitely help children get off a better start and develop vital skills.

If you have taken up that noble role of a Facilitator be it in a school, hotel, restaurant or even at your very own home and if you are living in Qatar then "Play and Learn" is the one stop place for you which will not only ease your job as a facilitator but also broaden your creativity! 

  

  

Established in 2010 Play and Learn excels in providing educational supplies, toys, furniture for classrooms and libraries, indoor and outdoor play equipment and many more high quality exclusive resources and valuable guidance to support the child's individual strength, interest and need. The wide range of products they have could be viewed here

Play and Learn is reputable and have been trusted for excellence by many nurseries and other establishments around Doha as they have successfully set up classrooms, indoor and out door play areas according to specific needs, 

 

 

The good news is they take care of the installation and provide after sales service too. More of what they do could be found here

If you are looking for some out door summer fun these days have a look at Play and Learn! Doesn't this look awesome!

How about setting up your own little library? Play and Learn would do that for you with passion since they bring you the best products from people who understand specific designs and deliver outstanding solutions! 

At Play and Learn Quality and Safety are utmost concerns and thus they choose to affiliate with world renown brands and bring them to Qatar. So you will find some excellent branded products such as Quadro, FG Library, Ultraplay etc, at Play and Learn.

  

As children play not only do they enhance their fine motor skills and gross motor skills development but they also develop cognitive, social, emotional, physical skills they would need to take them into a successful adulthood! Hence having a place like Play and Learn around town is a relief for educators as now, they could pick and select tools and items that would enable children to learn confidence, cooperation, negotiation, sharing and empathy along with developing intelligence, curiosity, flexibility, communication skills and problem solving ability.  

 

Check out GPS Location details and contact numbers of Play and Learn at www.rush360.qa by searching for Play and Learn.

Puppet Making - January

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These classes are part of VCUQatar Girls Program which is conducted during school holidays for girls ages 10 - 14.

Participants must buy their own materials and bring along. Payment can be made online here or visit the VCUQatar shop for in-person registration.

Here are the details

 

Picture Courtesy of VCUQatar

This is a fun, hands-on, beginners’ level course about the making of hand puppets. You will learn basic hand-sewing and puppet design techniques, and the rest is up to your imagination.

Note: this course is taught in Arabic, however English speakers are welcome too

Start: Mon, 26 Jan, 2015

End: Wed, 4 Feb, 2015

Lessons: 4

Days: Mondays & Wednesdays

Time: 12.45 PM - 2.45 PM

Location: VCUQatar, Room 390

(GPS Location of VCUQatar can be found at www.rush360.qa by searching for VCUQatar)

Cost: QAR 400 / US$ 110

Class Outline 

• Introduction to puppet making and the different tools and techniques that will be used
• Making the puppet
• Making the puppet
• Dressing and accessorizing the puppet

For details of the Instructor and more please visit http://www.qatar.vcu.edu/community/kd-puppet-making

Party Planning - January

These classes are part of VCUQatar Girls Program which is conducted during school holidays for girls ages 10 - 14.

Participants must buy their own materials and bring along. Payment can be made online here or visit the VCUQatar shop for in-person registration.

Here are the details

 

Picture Courtesy of VCUQatar

This is a fun, hands-on, workshop about planning and preparing a special themed party. You will explore creative ideas for themes and learn how to make your own invitation cards, decorations, gift bags and food for your occasion. On the last day, we will use our creations and have a party to celebrate! 

Note: this course is taught in Arabic, however English speakers are welcome too

Start: Mon, 26 Jan, 2015

End: Wed, 4 Feb, 2015

Lessons: 4

Days: Mondays & Wednesdays

Time: 3pm - 5pm

Location: VCUQatar, Room 390

(GPS Location of VCUQatar can be found at www.rush360.qa by searching for VCUQatar)

Cost: QAR 400 / US$ 110

Class Outline 

• Choosing the theme and the essential components of the party. Making the invitation card
• Designing and making decorations
• Designing and making gifts and activities
• Designing and making food, setting up the party space and partying!!!!

For details of the Instructor and more please visit http://www.qatar.vcu.edu/community/kc-party-planning

Gouache Painting - February

These classes are part of VCUQatar Girls Program which is conducted during school holidays for girls ages 10 - 14.

Participants must buy their own materials and bring along. Payment can be made online here or visit the VCUQatar shop for in-person registration.

Here are the details

Picture Courtesy of VCUQatar

This class will introduce painting with gouache colors, potentials for this material, through teaching gouache color technique, how to apply, mix and blend colors , how to draw with brush strokes.  During the class students will see many examples of paintings and get to choose and copy two pieces, which will help them to see the values of the colors and relation between colors and object.

Note: this course is taught in Arabic, however English speakers are welcome too

Start: Sun, 1 Feb, 2015

End: Thu, 5 Feb, 2015

Lessons: 6

Days: Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays

Time: 3pm - 5pm

Location: VCUQatar, Room 390

(GPS Location of VCUQatar can be found at www.rush360.qa by searching for VCUQatar)

Cost: QAR 600 / US$ 165

Class Outline 

• Introduction to gouache color painting; learn how to begin painting, how to use the tools and materials, how to mix paints and achieve hues and tones as desired
• Copy from picture and create first painting
• Complete first painting
• Copy from second piece and create the second painting
• Work on second painting
• Complete second painting

For details of the Instructor and more please visit http://www.qatar.vcu.edu/community/kb-gouache-painting

Ceramic Mosaics - January

These classes are part of VCUQatar Girls Program which is conducted during school holidays for girls ages 10 - 14.

Participants must buy their own materials and bring along. Payment can be made online here or visit the VCUQatar shop for in-person registration.

Here are the details 

Picture Courtesy of VCUQatar

Ceramic Mosaics can transform an ordinary object into a colorful, shiny and unique, long lasting piece of art.

Bring an Object that you want to transform, you will get tiles and grout in class.

In this course you will create your own design and draw it on an object of your choice (a tray, a box, a vase, a jar, a mug or a frame – the choice is yours). You select the colors of tiles and grout in accordance with your theme and then start to have fun pasting the tiles on your object and grouting the joints. Discover the beauty of your piece while cleaning it from excess grout. 

Note: this course is taught in Arabic, however English speakers are welcome too

Start: Sun, 25 Jan, 2015

End: Thu, 5 Feb, 2015

Lessons: 6

Days: Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays

Time: 12.45 PM - 2.45 PM

Location: VCUQatar, Room 390

(GPS Location of VCUQatar can be found at www.rush360.qa by searching for VCUQatar)

Cost: QAR 600 / US$ 165

Class Outline 

• Introduction to the technique, tools and materials. See examples of work and start creating your own design
• Refine your design and finalize it, select your tiles and grout
• Start pasting tiles on your object with cold silicon
• Complete pasting the tiles
• Apply grout in the joints between the tiles
• Clean your object from excess grout and discover the beauty of your design

For details of the Instructor and more please visit http://www.qatar.vcu.edu/community/ka-ceramic-mosaics

Basic Photography for children ages 10-14 - January

VCUQatar is offering Basic Photography for children classes this spring. These classes are for Children ages 10 - 14

Participants must buy their own materials and bring along. Payment can be made online here or visit the VCUQatar shop for in-person registration.

Here are the details:

Picture Courtesy of VCUQatar

This class is for children who like to take pictures and want to learn how to do it better!

Learn the basics of photography and improve your practical and technical skills. Express yourself with your photographs and make your camera your best friend!

  

Start: Sun, 25 Jan, 2015

End: Tue, 3 Feb, 2015

Lessons: 4

Days: Sundays and Tuesdays

Time: 5pm - 7pm

Location: VCUQatar, Room 181

(GPS Location of VCUQatar can be found at www.rush360.qa by searching for VCUQatar)

Cost: QAR 500 / US$ 137.50

Class Outline 

• Introduction to basic concepts of photography
• Practical demos
• Shooting exercises
• Editing and sharing your work

For details of the Instructor and more please visit http://www.qatar.vcu.edu/community/48-c4-basic-photography-for-children-ages-10-14

Explore all community classes of VCUQatar here http://www.qatar.vcu.edu/community

Color and Pattern Workshop for children ages ages 11 - 14 - February

VCUQatar is offering Color and Pattern Workshop for children this spring. These classes are for Children ages 11 - 14

Participants must buy their own materials and bring along. Payment can be made online here or visit the VCUQatar shop for in-person registration.

Here are the details.

 

Picture Courtesy of VCUQatar

This Workshop will develop an understanding of colour mixing and development of pattern and repeat pattern using a wide range of media

Start: Sun, 8 Feb, 2015

End: Sun, 22 Mar, 2015

Lessons: 8, no classes on March 1st and 8th

Days: Sundays

Time: 5pm - 7pm

Location: VCUQatar, Room 177

(GPS Location of VCUQatar can be found at www.rush360.qa by searching for VCUQatar)

Cost: QAR 500 / US$ 137.50

  

Class Outline 

Please note that this schedule is flexible and may change according to needs arising 

• Introduction to Colour – The Colour Wheel, Primary, Secondary and Tertiary colours, family of colours, Warm and Cool, Complimentary colours
• From listening to music create abstract work focusing on feelings through colour, line and pattern. Look at Kandinsky’s work
• From the abstract paintings take a section and learn about repeat pattern. Rotation and reflection.
• Add colour to the smaller repeat patterns and enlarge a favourite piece onto A3 paper
• Add colour to each of the four sections using different media – collage, paint, ink and colour pencil

For details of the Instructor and more please visit http://www.qatar.vcu.edu/community/47-c3-color-and-pattern-workshop-for-children-ages-11-14

Explore all community classes of VCUQatar here http://www.qatar.vcu.edu/community

25th Doha International Book Fair - 2015

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The 25th Doha International Book Fair is attracting book lovers this year too. This year's Venue Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) is indeed adding colour and class to this much looked forward event of the region. Location of the QNCC at www.rush360.qa search for QNCC


The Book fair ends this Saturday 17th January 2015. And the timings are as follows:

Saturday to Thursday - 9am to 1pm and 4pm to 10pm
Friday: 4pm to 10 pm

As usual there are plenty of books in Arabic language and few stalls with English Books. It was nice to see variety of books for children for different ages. While Encyclopedias and non fiction books were drawing attention, English Language Software programs were also attracting young parents. It will be nice to see more and more living books for sale in the coming years as it remains a huge problem especially for the English speaking readers to get hold of good quality living books for kids as well as for adults.

Qatar National Library  is accepting registration for its online resources at their booth at the book fair. When you register with them you are able to access their online resources anytime from anywhere. Remember to take your Qatari ID if you intend registering. This registration is free and access is free too.

Qatar Museums and Supreme Council of Education are having some activities going on at their booths too. Together with Maktaba and Mathaf ,Story Time sessions for children and workshops for parents are conducted. Check here for the schedules.

Childhood Cultural Centre too is offering different art activities for kids at their booth.

You can also witness book stalls from the region such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Bahrain, Egypt and others.

Indian publishers are having children's books in English and some of them are priced reasonably too. Series of books of Enid Blyton could be seen almost in all of the very few English Book stalls.

Crescent Book Shop  that sells school books and children books in Qatar also is having a stall with special prices and discounts. Location and details of their shop in Qatar could be found at www.rush360.qa search for Crescent.


For those of you who are looking for Islamic Books in English for kids would be glad to see the UK company Learning Roots having a booth with their books and educational materials.

You get plenty of parking. Nice to wear some comfortable shoes to enjoy a little bit of a walk if you intend visiting. No food and drink allowed inside.

Here are some pics Rush360' team captured of what is in store for you! Enjoy!

Observe Outline and Draw

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Picture Courtesy of Art for Elementary Teachers

Museum of Islamic Art will conduct a 4 part workshop to enhance drawing skills.
Course is open for all who are above 16 years old and is free of charge. But need prior booking. Please email nqussini@qm.org.qa for booking. All materials will be provided.

Here are the details as provided by MIA.

Would you like to improve your drawing skills while learning the history of MIA’s artworks? Join this 4-part workshop, where you will develop your artistic talent using a variety of techniques, such as blind contour drawing, sketching, smooth pencil shading, hatching and cross-hatching in drawing some of the most valuable objects in Islamic art. For 16+ years old.

Dates: Saturdays 10, 17, 24, 31 January 2015
Time: 12 noon to 2pm
Location: Museum of Islamic Art, Debriefing Room - Galleries
(GPS Location of Museum of Islamic Art can be found at www.rush360.qa by searching for MIA)

2nd Qatar Optimist Cup for Sailing - 28th Dec to 2nd January

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Qatar Sailing and Rowing Federation (also known as Doha Sailing Club) is hosting the 2nd Qatar Optimist Cup for Sailing at Katara Cultural Village. Its open for public to watch and entrance is free!

Dates and Timings: 31st December - 10am to 3pm
                                    1st January - 11am to 11.45am
                                    2nd January - 11 am to 12 noon

Venue: Doha Sailing Club - Katara Cultural Village (Location Map at www.rush360.qa search for DSC)

This Sailing Competition is for Children aged 8 to 14 and the kids look very confident and cute sailing, displaying their talents and courage.

The action is best seen from a dhow except for the event on the 1st of January which the organizers say could be seen from the shore.

Here are some kids in action during the on going contest!

Floral Fancies Iznik Plates - Saturdays Jan - Feb 2015

Also view here

Picture Courtesy of Pinterest

Museum of Islam Art will hold a very soothing art workshop every Saturdays called "Floral Fancies - Iznik Plates" in the months of January and February 2015. These workshops are absolutely free and open for all ages. The good news is, no need any prior bookings. Just walk in and enjoy!

It is a beautiful way to revive and make aware the rich ceremic Islamic Art of the great Ottoman Empire!

Dates: Saturdays, January 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st
            Saturdays, February 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th
Time: 3pm to 5pm
Venue: Museum of Islamic Art  - MIA Atrium (Location at www.rush360.qa search for MIA)

(MIA Atrium is on to your left side when you enter the MIA after the security checking, on the way to the Ladies Prayer Room)

Picture Courtesy of Qatar Museums

Iznik is a town in Turkey which was a very important commercial city and came under the control of the Ottomans. In the 16th and 17th centuries Iznik gained importance because of its beautiful ceramic products and especially tiles that is famous all over the world.

The most famous of the pottery produced under the Ottoman empire is also called Iznik, after this city in which it was produced. Showing the influence of Ming blue and white porcelain, this pottery expanded the colour palette by using overglaze enamels.

The pottery center at Iznik was primarily involved with the production of tile used to construct and repair mosques, madrasas, and palaces. However, in the odd spaces of the kilns, plates, vases, and flasks iznik was visible. Today Museum of Islamic Art has some rare beautiful Iznik plates displayed in their collection.

You can join the workshop with the whole family and get inspired through these beautiful Iznik plates. Create your own floral artwork on paper with colour pencils and experience the wonders of Iznik.

Silk Painting Course for Adults and Kids - 24th December onwards

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Picture Courtesy of Artetfleur

Learn something new during this school break! Explore the world of silk painting with a professional passionate artist.

Rashmi Agarwal popular Fine Silk Artist in Doha (President of the Middle East Art & Silk Painters) is offering a Silk Painting Course for Adults and Kids starting on Wednesday 24th December till February 2015. Mom's can learn along with their kids too! You can choose the morning sessions or the evening sessions and the number of days you want to attend. Its flexible! At each session you will take home a project made by you!

Picture Courtesy of MAPS

Venue: Rashmi's Art Studio - Al Sadd Community Hall (behind Centrepoint and in front of Millianium Hotel - Location map and details at www.rush360.qa search for Rashmi)

Time: Morning Session - 10am to 12 noon
           Evening Session - 4.30pm to 6.30pm

Cost: QR100 per session (for total 2 hours)

All materials and notes will be provided!

For Registrations and details please contact 
Tel: +974 5560 3845
e-mail: info@mapsqatar.org
rashmigold@yahoo.com 

Silk painting is fun and addictive and Rashmi has a very interesting way of teaching the most complicated techniques without any complications at all! Take advantage of the opportunity!

Silk Painting Workshop for Girls - Saturday 20th December 2014

For more details click here

Want to have a skill developed during this school break? Are your girls bored at home? Here is an excellent opportunity!

MAPS the friendly and talented Art community in Doha will be conducting a special Silk Painting and crafting workshop for girls 5 to 16 years at Katara Cultural Village Building 18.



Silk painting is the application of paints or dyes directly onto silk fabric using an exciting array of watercolour techniques.


Date: Saturday 20th December 2014
Time: 9am to 11.30am
Cost: QR150 per child but for sibling from the same family QR100 per child.

Conducted by professional fine silk artists, in this workshop girls will learn the basics of silk painting, techniques and will be taking home a silk painted craft that they would make with the instructors.


Projects and instructions will be provided for different age groups according to their respective levels.

All materials will be provided! Limited Spaces Available! Book now!

For Registrations and details please contact 

Tel: +974 5560 3845

e-mail: info@mapsqatar.org

rashmigold@yahoo.com 

Get your girls to spend some quality time learning a new skill and enjoying good company!!

All details about MAPS and Location details of Katara Cultural Village can be found at www.rush360.qa 

The Little Engineer in Qatar - Cultivating the Passion of Success!

If you are looking for a child centered learning atmosphere where you want your kids to actively become involved in their own learning process or build engineering and science intuition and renewable energy or develop their interests in math and scientific technology or strengthen their research and problem solving skills or all of the above, then there is one place in Qatar that you MUST take your kids to.

Location details of The Little Engineer can be found at www.rush360.qa by searching for "The Little Engineer" or "Robotics", or "Lego".

Click this image and search for "Little Engineer" for location map

The Little Engineer in Qatar is serving the community since January 2014 (Originally established in Lebanon in 2009) with a couple of quality programs and many more to come! The courses Currently on offer are Robotics and Go Green, for kids 6 years to pre university age as follows:

Elementary 6-9 years

Intermediate 8-14 years

Advance 10-15 years

Senior 16+ years

Robotics Level 0A (Available)

Robotics Level 0B (Available) 

Robotic Level 1 (Available)

Robotic Level 2 (Available)

Robotic Level 3 (Coming Soon)

Robotics Level 4 (Coming Soon)

Robotics Level 5 (Coming Soon)

Introduction To Robotics (Available)

Kids & Teens Go Green (Available)

Technology Level 1 (Coming Soon)

Technology Level 2 (Coming Soon)

Additionally they also facilitate the following:

• Scientific Birthdays
• TLE Clubs in Schools (for schools who wants to provide their students with advanced science and Technology Knowledge) 
• Workshops (In their Centers or at site)
• Corporate Events and workshops. 
• Summer Camps. 
• Schools Visits (Take your class to TLE center and Enjoy a thrilling 3 hours of practical Science in a fun and interactive learning method "Edutainment") 
• One time workshops for students or homeschoolers which is Pay As You Go, where the student can come and take an hour or two to try out
• TLE has its own mobile station that can go to any location in Qatar to give a WOW experience.
• Girls only sessions are available too with female instructors in Arabic and English.

Cost for each course varies and for information on it please contact  info@thelittleengineer.qa
 or call them on +974 6623 8884 .

Ms. Karen Slim the passionate, charismatic Manager of The Little Engineer says:

 "TLE’s aim is to bridge the gap between schools and universities and prepare its students for the challenging future in the areas of Engineering and Science. Our values serve as a compass for our actions and describe how we behave in the world." 

Leadership: The courage to shape a better future

Collaboration: Leverage collective genius 

Integrity: Be real 

Accountability: If it is to be, it's up to me 

Passion: Committed in heart and mind 

Diversity: As inclusive as our brands

Quality: What we do, we do well 

The Little Engineer is no stranger to some of the schools in Qatar such as Al Jazeera School, Al Mahd School, Al Maha, Qatar Academy, Compass Gharafa, Madinat Khalifa, and Al Rayan where the kids have been enjoying some structured technology time as part of their school curriculum!

Café Ceramique is the sister company of The Little Engineer and now they also have sessions at both the Café Ceramique outlets at the Gate Mall as well as the Mall!

We asked Karen to describe a typical course for us so that the parents are aware what would their children learn! Here is her description!

At TLE the description of any course always falls down to our great 5Cs.


Connect: our students connect the brain to the sensors and actuators

Construct: our students start to follow our instructions to start building there models

Contemplate: our students start to program the model they have completed







Complicate: the most important part of the program is when our students have to troubleshoot the problems that are occurring in the mission to reach the objective of the class

Continue: education and continuity of the tweaking and adjustments of models will go beyond our classes

 

The Little Engineer always aims for continuity, they have tracks and those tracks include a set of courses tailored for each age group. After completion of a track the students can take another track of higher level.

At the end of each course a certification is awarded which is accredited from the International Accreditation Organization (IAO)

Over all, Karen is satisfied with the interest she sees here in Qatar and aims to spread their contents to more people and reach more enthusiastic students, even though the competitors are a challenge she is confident that at  The Little Engineer she and her team would  do their best and work towards motivation, development, and perseverance to achieve success!

Our sincere thanks to Karen for taking her time to give us all details! Next time your little guy or girl is fussing with boredom you know where to take them for some quality fun technology time!