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Abu Dhabi Science Festival 2019

Innovator 2019.pngInnovator 2019 is a strategic initiative by the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), bringing together individual innovators, academic institutions, government entities and private sector entrepreneurs in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, contributing to the fulfillment of the UAE’s innovation strategy which aims to position the UAE amongst the most innovative nations in the world. Now in its 5th edition, it is an exciting 10 days event targeting audiences aged 13+ across the UAE. The innovator 2019 is a “Do-It-Yourself” (DIY) inspired event and will showcase homegrown projects by innovators from across the UAE in the categories of Art & Design, Sustainability & Life Science, Aerospace, Automotive, Mechanics, & Digital Fabrication, Robotics & Electronics.

Workshop 1 - Tote Bags

Attendees will learn how to transfer an image or writing from stencil to a fabric. Using the silk screen techniques. A set of screens will be present, each with different color and attendees will have the chance to choose the color and design they desire.

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Workshop 2 - Coin Sorter

Attendees will have the chance to make a coin sorter help organize their coins, a laser cut wood pieces will be pre-cut and attendees will need to assemble them according to a set of instructions, and they will get to paint them or color them.

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Workshop 3 - Electric Dough

We love Play Dough! We love science. The basic premise is that the play dough acts as both an insulator and a conductor of electricity in order to form shapes and add with lights, sirens, and motors. This exercise teaches attendees basic circuits principles. You can teach a simple circuit or build on that knowledge to include parallel and series circuits, electrical load, and even squishy sound music! The possibilities are endless.

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Workshop 4 - Paper Circuit Buzzer

Create your own doorbell through learning all about circuits. In this hands-on workshop, attendees will understand the principle of using a soldering alloy to join wires (known as soldering), as well as populating PCB's, use twist-ons, strip wire, use crimping tools, apply and heat shrink tubing, as well as other basic principles of electronic work/assembly.

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Innovator 2018

Feb 1st - 7th 2019 at Abu Dhabi Corniche

The INNOVATOR 2018 is a key initiative under the ADEK’s Innovation Strategy. It is a “Do-It-Yourself” (DIY) inspired event, which demonstrates homegrown projects across the UAE. The 7-day event targets an audience aged 13+ across the UAE combined with Abu Dhabi Science Festival for exiting workshops and activities. 

TechShop Abu Dhabi participated with three workshops - Prototyping (Hover Board), Electronics (Buzzer) and Woodworking (Mallet). See our gallery for more photos. 

 

Workshop - Prototyping

Putting things together and bringing parts to an operational order require a variety of skills such as the ability to use measuring devices, understand tolerances, and being able to assess structural and functional aspects. In this workshop we expose attendees to the process of putting together a functional prototype.

Learning Outcomes

In this hands-on workshop, attendees will experience the use of hand tools, measuring devices, fasteners, simple design calculations, work holding devices, along with bigger fabrication machines such as a drill press and/or a manual press.

 

Workshop - Electronics

Projects nowadays can seldom get away with no electronics in them. Hence a combination of light, movement, or intelligence is often a fundamental ingredient in any innovative project. In this workshop we scrape the surface of electronic assembly in a fun way that is accessible to children and adults alike.

Learning Outcomes

In this hands-on workshop, attendees will understand the principle of using a soldering alloy to join wires (known as soldering), as well as populating PCB's, use twist-ons, strip wire, use crimping tools, apply and heat shrink tubing, as well as other basic principles of electronic work/assembly.

 

Workshop - Woodworking

Everyone has engaged in some form of woodworking at one point in their lives either at college or with an older family member. In this workshop we allow attendees to experience a bit of woodworking to the end of making a functional and a structurally-sound outcome.

Learning Outcomes

In this hands-on workshop, attendees will gain an understanding into working with the wood, using various hand tools to attach and shape the structure, and finishing the piece to enhance the natural beauty of the material.

Abu Dhabi World - Website

Website | Aug 10th, 2017 | http://www.adwonline.ae/really-can-fix-things-around-house/
Yes you could call. But if you want to get handy and reap the rewards, read on. DIY is doable in Abu Dhabi

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When it comes to acronyms, DIY is definitely not one of the most well used ones in the UAE.

We understand. We really do. Most of us live in flats. We don’t have access to a garage. Power tools are expensive and if you move, you’d just end up selling them anyway. It’s just easier to call someone else to fix this or build that.

Okay, fair enough. DIY and expat living do not necessarily go hand in hand.

DIWhy?

But wait! It doesn’t have to be that way.

What if we told you that you don’t necessarily need a garage to be handy? It will cost you less than you think and will almost certainly lead you to saving money in the future. You can also start with a very basic tool kit that can increase as your tinkering and pottering instinct evolves.

Not nailed down the desire to DIY just yet?

Then note that it can help boost your brainpower with active problem solving and lead to some illuminating self discovery as you (hopefully) uncover some natural talents you didn’t know you had. Also, knowing you can rely solely on yourself – even if it is just for the odd job around the house – can boost self-esteem.

“Doing things yourself and making things is fun,” Ismael Touq, general manager at creative community hub and facility TechShop Abu Dhabi, tells Abu Dhabi World. “You can solve your own problems without having to depend on someone else.”

“The benefit of DIY is also that it allows you to just be creative, to bring ideas that you have to life and learn more about materials and tools.”

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The knowledge gained and experience of being able to solve problems with a few tools is something that’s been an essential part of human development over centuries.

“It’s in our nature to be makers. It’s in our DNA, it’s what sets us apart from other animals: we make things, we use tools and we create,” adds Ismael.

“In the industrial environment we live in, lots of things are mass produced and we’ve lost the sense of how things are made, we’re out of touch and it’s good to bring back the relationship we have with materials and be involved in making.

“We can play with materials, and the more you work with materials and tools the more you understand about the work that goes in to making products and there’s so much more satisfaction when you make something than to just go somewhere and buy it.

“So why wouldn’t you want to try it?” asks Ismael.

Getting started

You could go it alone. Or you could learn from the experts. Here are some options:

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TechShop in Al Zeina is a great place to start. Even during the summer the team is running a host of exciting classes. Some are more on the expert end of the scale with laser cutting and etching, as well as 3D printing, but there are plenty that will help start you down the road to DIY dominance. For instance, we like the sound of the basic metal workshop; starting project – a bottle opener. Want to know how to build your own shelf, before installing it yourself? The hand tool basics workshop, which is being held throughout August, is perfect for you. Visit: techshop.ae

Abu Dhabi World - Print Issue

Print Issue | Aug 10th, 2017 | ADW online eBook - Past Issues

"TechShop in Al Zeina is a great place to start. Even during the summer the team is running a host of exciting classes. Some are more on the expert end of the scale with laser cutting and etching, as well as 3D printing, but there are plenty that will help start you down the road to DIY dominance. For instance, we like the sound of the basic metal workshop; starting project – a bottle opener. Want to know how to build your own shelf, before installing it yourself? The hand tool basics workshop, which is being held throughout August, is perfect for you. Visit techshop.ae"

Zayed University

17 Aug 2016 | https://www.zu.ac.ae/main/en/colleges/colleges/__college_of_arts_and_creative_enterprises/_news_items/techshop.aspx 

2016-08-17_Zayed University Photo 2.jpgAnn-Maree Reaney, Dean of the College of Arts and Creative Enterprises, was present at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with Ismael Touq, TechShop General Manager, during a signing ceremony held at TechShop Abu Dhabi.

 

Ann-Maree Reaney, Dean of the College of Arts and Creative Enterprises, was present at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with Ismael Touq, TechShop General Manager, during a signing ceremony held at TechShop Abu Dhabi.

Zayed University established a new partnership with TechShop Abu Dhabi. TechShop Abu Dhabi is the first facility in the GCC, initiated in partnership with the Innovator program; an initiative by Abu Dhabi Technology Development Committee (TDC). It is a ‘making’ space accessible to public, with grade equipment and staffed by professionals where tinkerers, crafters, and makers of every level can work and share inspiration. It offers access to fabrication machinery and prototyping technologies, as well as provides a communal learning environment where professionals and amateurs collaborate to turn their ideas into reality.

Design & Build TechShop (Innovator) class as an elective course in the College of Arts and Creative Enterprises, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi

The focus of this course is to introduce 15 participant students from CACE to the concept of the ‘Maker-Culture’ and design. The course will ask students to identify problems within their communities or immediate environments, and will encourage the exploration of creative solutions; to deliver products and spatial proposals. This is in par with today’s global technological advancement and rapid paradigm shift toward self-sufficiency and personal digital fabrication.

For the first three weeks of the course, students will undergo induction sessions on machinery user, operation and safety procedures, followed by practical project implementations. The access and fabrication knowledge is expected to enable students to take their design to the next level; from design proposal to design prototypes.

The course is aimed at providing the enrolled female design students seven days a week supervised access to machinery currently unavailable on campus premises. This type of exposure is expected to raise standard of design output of our students, which will promote innovative use of materials and equipment, and will enable the students to realize their designs and turn them into quality prototype. These are important skills needed as the students prepare to become part of the workforce of the developing Creative Industries in the UAE.

The above have been facilitated by the kind support of CACE Dean’s office specially Dean Ann-Maree Reaney and Zayed University upper administration, and the generous sponsorship of TechShop management all agreed on a MOU between Zayed University and Techshop.

TimeOut Abu Dhabi - Website

Jack Dignum | June 27, 2016 11:29 AM | https://www.timeoutabudhabi.com/community/features/71933-techshop-in-abu-dhabi 

TechShop in Abu Dhabi

From soldering metal to creating 3D chocolate moulds it is time to get skills

TechShop in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is synonymous with growth and development, whether it’s building impressive skyscrapers or creating an eco-friendly city (Masdar), the capital is at the forefront of improving life for everyone who lives here.

But these are mammoth projects requiring years of training and skill to complete. However, we all need to start somewhere, right? Welcome TechShop, a new spot in the capital that starts at the foundation of creation. This self-dubbed “playground of creativity” is giving you the opportunity to learn and develop hand-crafting skills, as well as create ideas in a safe environment.

TechShop is not just a space for you to play around with wood, though, it’s so much more than that. It provides professional equipment to aid you with your project, as well as giving you access to a host of classes: electronics, 3D printing, plastic fabrication, sand blasting and powder coating to name a few. Hopefully dodgy dad builds could be a thing of the past.

 

TechShop has been set up by Innovator. This is a government innovation support programme run by the Abu Dhabi Technology Development Committee and the creators are already rolling in.

The team at TechShop are great for two things: safety and expertise. Everyone who wishes to sign up for a monthly or annual membership needs to complete an equipment-specific safe and basic use class. This is to ensure both you and those around you don’t come a cropper. The staff are qualified in just about every area you could think of when it comes to the workshop and are there to answer any questions you might have.

Not only can they teach you new skills and offer tips on how to improve your work, they are also there to inspire creativity. It’s also their job to run the corporate team-building classes, birthday parties and even themed events for group gatherings.

If that wasn’t enough, TechShop has organised the SumoRobot Building competition, where you build and battle your own automaton against other teams.

But if that’s a little too aggressive for you, try the 3D chocolate mould class. Yes, you’ll make your own chocolate figure, then get to scoff it. Nice.

TechShop isn’t just for adults, as there are children’s classes, too. Soldering for Kids is an introduction to the technique where they’ll get to create a figure of paper clips, soldered together. Blinky Bugs will involve your youngsters building a simple, electro-mechanical insect that responds to movement, air and vibrations. So whether it’s your rugrats looking to learn a new skill, or the adults of your family looking to get creative, this place may be worth visiting.
Dhs450 per month. Open daily, 7am-10pm. Al Zeina, Al Raha Beach, (02 558 8624).

The National - Website

Welcome to Abu Dhabi’s Al Zeina innovation workshop, where your tech dreams take shape

November 22, 2015 | Adam Bouyamourn | https://www.thenational.ae/business/welcome-to-abu-dhabi-s-al-zeina-innovation-workshop-where-your-tech-dreams-take-shape-1.2807 
2015-11-22_The National Photo.jpg

The Al Zeina workshop, supported by the Abu Dhabi Technology Development Committee, is a government-backed effort to help end the UAE’s dependence on revenues from hydrocarbons. Irene García León for The National

In a glass-fronted workshop in Al Raha Beach’s Al Zeina complex, 3D printers, sand blasters, sewing machines, injection moulders, sawmills, a steel mill, a four-jaw chuck, a vinyl cutter, an electronics lab – and an endless supply of coffee and popcorn – await curious and amateur technologists looking to build something new.

One workshop user built a very small jet engine from scratch, which he used to roast coffee beans. Another pair, Yves Rossy and Vince Reffet, built the jetpacks that allowed them to fly alongside an Emirates A380 just above Dubai.

This workshop, supported by the Abu Dhabi Technology Development Committee (TDC), is a government-backed effort to help end the UAE’s dependence on revenues from hydrocarbons. As the oil price falls to its lowest level in real terms for more than a decade, the government wants “innovation” to fuel growth – and that means workshops and tech spaces like this one, backed with government cash, are popping up around the country.

The non-oil economy accounts for about 50 per cent of overall economic activity in Abu Dhabi, and approximately 94 per cent of economic activity in Dubai.

Anish Alex, to his understandable chagrin, has the job title lead dream consultant with TechShop, which operates Al Zeina workshop. Its aim, he says, is to “train, support and help people manufacture almost anything that can be built in wood, plastic, textiles, and metal – and anything that falls broadly into digital”.

He continues: “There’s a million things you can do if you just come in and learn how to do them. It’s a well-equipped space to do training and prototype manufacturing.”

In a workshop environment like that built in Al Zeina, you end up with a dedicated core of about 40 hardcore devotees, and a larger group of occasional hobbyists, Mr Alex says.

“They are hidden someplace, but the thing is to get them out of their shells. When that community builds up, it’s fun,” he says. “They’re goofy and they take risks. It’s a select group, but they’re out there.

“Locally, there’s a large community playing with robotics of all kinds, from drones to small projects for home automation. In Ajman there are kids as young as eight being trained in how to build clapper circuits from scratch, and being taught basic optical video recognition.”

Membership costs Dh350 per year for Emiratis, and Dh450 for everyone else. Discounts are available for women, children, students, serving members of the armed forces and families. The workshop has space for about 700 members, and will train budding technologists in milling, welding, woodworking, electronics, bookbinding, and 3D printing, among a host of other things. After mandatory safety classes and training in how to use machines, workshop-goers are free to explore.

The workshop’s youngest member is 12 years old, and the oldest is in his late 70s. And it has received a stamp of approval from at least one local tech firm. Mr Alex says: “The general manager of YahSat came in here the other day, and said, ‘Man, this is cool’.”