Students from Dhahran Ahliyya Schools pose with their projects.

A Saudi Girl’s Journey to Self-discovery

I’m a woman, a Muslim, an Arab and a Saudi. I’m an illusion to he who does not see me and an enigma to he who does not know me. I’ve been given the chance to experience the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), and now I’m taking a chance to speak about that experience. “I” is not a single person, but a group of motivated young Saudi women who experienced the fair together.

The ISEF is the world's largest pre-college celebration of science, bringing together Almost 1,500 students from 47 countries. Our school was introduced to SEED in February 2003. As a SEED-affiliated school we participated in several collaborative projects and we were invited to attend a SEED workshop in Egypt. After an inspirational time at the workshop, several students brought their enthusiasm back to the school and influenced others to take part in SEED’s science and technology programs.

In 2007 we were asked to participate in an all-Saudi science fair sponsored by King Abdulaziz and his Companion Foundation for the Gifted. We used the ideas we had started during our work with SEED and developed them further. We spent a lot of time together after school and on weekends. Our projects were titled “Softening De-Carbonated Water” and “Generating Electric Power Using Geothermal Energy”. As a result of our hard work, our two teams were among the winners of the regional Saudi science fair and all six of us—along with 6 other Saudi Arabia finalists—were asked to participate in the ISEF in New Mexico, USA.

I exchanged knowledge, discovered civilizations, and developed new friendships from all over the world. I learned that one could never be ordinary, since people around me made me feel like I’m someone extraordinary. They were surprised at what I, the Saudi woman, could do.

One enjoyable event was the “Pin Exchange” in which people exchanged pins from all over the world. Whenever I bumped into someone who wanted to exchange pins, his/her mouth opened in bewilderment when they discovered that I’m Saudi, and that was a funny reaction to be seen.   

I was astonished by how little people know about me, the Saudi; I was asked if I've ever tasted apples and cherries! I know the person I went as, and I know that I did come back as that same person, but even more ambitious and determined to show the world what Arab and Muslim women are capable of.

It has come to my mind, after this experience, that every single person has a contribution to this world, no matter how small. We should never lose faith and hope in ourselves, because when we least expect it, we can amaze ourselves more than anyone else.

Written by:
Jumanah, Noor, Lujain, Marya, Nadia, & Chaima
Ages 15–18, Dhahran Ahliyya Schools   

JOIN US AT THESE UPCOMING SEED EVENTS IN THE NEXT 2 MONTHS!
Volunteer/Facilitator Workshops Aug 20: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia				Collaborative Workshops Aug 21– 25: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

2008 Artwork Competition Announced
This year’s theme for the 2008 artwork competition was recently announced in SEED schools around the world. “Air: Breath of Life” is a theme that will not only inspire creativity, but will also raise awareness to global issues. SEED hopes students will consider the importance of air to life, and how our world could be affected by climate change. Winning artwork will be chosen in early September, and the annual Schlumberger greeting cards will be available to order in October.