Junior Science Café: Children in Oman learn about domesticated animals

Muscat: Children learnt about  the importance of domesticated animals and their role in providing food during a Junior Science Café session presented by Dr. Ihab Shaat yesterday at Om Qais Al Asyadiya School at Fanja in Ad Dakhiliyah Governorate.

Dr. Ihab Shaat explained that domesticated animals are environmentally friendly in various urban, desert, agricultural and other environments, due to their great importance, as each of them is distributed in varying numbers in different governorates.

The presentation included an introduction to the importance of animal genetic resources and how to preserve them to ensure their sustainability, an explanation of how to manage and use animal genetic resources for optimally for identification of conservation and preservation methods, as well as identification of ways to preserve animal genetic resources, explaining that the importance of animal genetic resources stems from that they can contribute in bridging the food gap in the Sultanate and maintaining food security.

Organised by Mawarid (Oman Animal and Plant Genetic Resources Centre) of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, this  was the  third monthly session for academic year 2022-2023.

The idea of Junior Science Café, which is presented by Mawarid, emerged after the success of the regular Science Café events for the society. It is an initiative for students aged 10-15 years. It is presented by various qualified lecturers, and the topics vary in the four sectors: the plant world, the animal world, the marine biology world, and the microorganisms world.

The Junior Science Café aims to educate students on important scientific topics experienced by the society around us and spread awareness, curiosity and discovery of Omani genetic resources and its preservation.