‘The Big Science Challenge’ is inviting schools in the UK, and from Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and UAE to research and design an original, innovative solution to a problem concerning water, either locally, nationally or globally. It will give the young people involved an opportunity to learn about science and engineering by tackling real world challenges which affects communities around the world.

Young people from the winning UK school will receive a five day trip to the United Arab Emirates’ famous city of Dubai, where they will gain a unique insight into the culture and education system through an exciting programme of activities.

Patrick Brazier, MENA Regional Director, British Council said: “The British Council is delighted to be joining forces with Rolls-Royce, one of the world’s most respected companies. The Big Science Challenge gives young people in the UK a chance to find a real scientific solution to a genuine problem and to share, explore and learn with schools in the Middle East. By forging these international links, the competition creates a greater sense of understanding between young people and gives them an invaluable glimpse into another culture.”

‘The Big Science Challenge’ is also open to a number of secondary schools in eight Middle Eastern countries and all participating schools are encouraged to share ideas and exchange information, emulating real scientists who work in international networks. Over 4,000 schools are expected to participate across the UK and Middle East.

Helen Bishop, Head of Community Investment, Rolls-Royce, said: “‘The Big Science Challenge’ addresses the important issue of water and gives young people an opportunity to work like real scientists and put their scientific research and technological skills into practice. We hope this opportunity will inspire young people in the UK and across the Middle East to make science and engineering part of their future education.”

“We are pleased to be working with the British Council, who have a wealth of experience in building educational links between schools in the UK and the Middle East.”

In the UK ‘The Big Science Challenge’ is open to teams of up to five young people from secondary schools aged 11 – 16.

The competition closes on Friday 3rd February 2012 and entries will be judged by a panel of experts from the UK and the Middle East.

There will be four UK winners and one per Middle East country.

The prizes include a week-long visit to London for all winners to present their entries in an international forum and the first place UK school will win a five day visit to Dubai.

Winners will be announced the week commencing 20th February 2012.

To enter, visit ‘The Big Science Challenge’ website.

For further information, please contact Elizabeth Bananuka on 020 7389 4808 or email elizabeth.bananuka@britishcouncil.org

The project is being perceived by many as increasingly important due to the rise in globalisation and the flow of workers and students between nations.

The experimental project, expected to cost around $12.5 million, will focus on three separate disciplines; one on general skills, one on economics, and one on engineering. The Australian Council for Educational Research will manage the development of the discipline-specific tests in coordination with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the body behind AHELO.

OECD expects to test around 200 students in 10 varying types of school in each of these six nations; Finland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Mexico and the United States. The proposal is to test students towards the end of their three or four year bachelors degrees and, in the following year, attempt to determine whether their results can be made comparable.

Richard Yelland, of OECD, hopes that if the experiment succeeds they will be able to create a useful tool for individuals and organisations across the world “who are responsible for higher education.” Yelland estimates that worldwide governments are collectively investing around $1 trillion in postsecondary education, meaning that the proposed tool could generate great interest.

You can find out more about AHELO by visiting the OECD website here.