OREANDA-NEWS. March 13, 2014. Goal is to popularize the study of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills among Saudi youths as a part of an effort to transform the Kingdom into a Knowledge Society.

The popular outreach program, arranged by The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture’s iThra Youth Division, uses a series of educational and enrichment sessions designed to engage and motivate students to gain a hunger for knowledge in the key STEM disciplines. To do this, teachers in given areas are trained in the latest techniques and strategies in education, which they then employ and pass on to students to enhance their skills and abilities for scientific thinking.

In its second year, iDiscover will be targeting 1,000 teachers in al-Jouf who will, through methods used in special programs worldwide, enrich and develop the skills of 2,000 students, inspiring in them a love of discovery and knowledge.

As Khalid A. Al-Falih, president and CEO of Saudi Aramco, noted in launching iThra Youth, the initiative comes in the context of the role of Saudi Aramco setting an example for the Kingdom to follow in inspiring and motivating the minds of its sons and daughters toward a love of science, technology and innovation. The goal of the initiative is to reach two million young men and women by the year 2020.

The iDiscover Program was developed in collaboration with professionals from the University of California at Berkeley (iDiscover science) and the Math Zoom Academy of Irvine, California, (iDiscover mathematics) in the United States. The two programs seek to develop creative thinking and problem-solving skills through encouragement and the thrill of friendly competition.

In 2013, iThra Youth was recognized for its pioneering youth education program as one of six international winners by the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE). Created by the Qatar Foundation to support the United Nations Millennium Development Goal on achieving universal primary education, the WISE award has honored 36 successful initiatives since it began in 2009 to showcase innovative educational projects from around the world.