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Linda Silver

Abu Dhabi Technology Development Committee

Country: United Arab Emirates

Biography:

Dr. Linda Abraham-Silver is Associate Director, Science and Technology Promotion for The Abu Dhabi Technology Development Committee. The former CEO of the Great Lakes Science Center (Cleveland, OH USA), Dr. Abraham-Silver has spent more than 2 decades in informal science education leadership positions both in collections-based museums as well as phenomena-based science centers. She has worked with NASA, NSF, AAAS and IMLS to increase the public understanding of science and has served on more than a dozen boards in the education and arts & culture sectors. Her work in the UAE, where she has resided for the past 4 years, focuses on developing an ISE infrastructure for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi through multiple program initiatives including the annual AD science festival and science outreach into schools. Integral to her work is the ongoing professional development of Emirati talent in the field of ISE.

Status: Confirmed

Papers/Presentations

Science Communication among Societies through public Science Events & Open Days

The Abu Dhabi Technology Development Committee is the founder and organizer of the annual Abu Dhabi Science Festival (ADSF). Running since 2011, the festival has reached approximately 400,000 people over the past three years and will celebrate its fourth year of operation in November 2014. As it evolves, ADSF has sought to develop more regionally-focused content and to help support local Science and Technology agencies in their ability to reach the community. This presentation will focus on the importance of ensuring that Science Communication is locally relevant, accessible to the intended target audience and reflective of the culture and personality of its community.

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Getting Started: Planning, Designing and Opening New Science Centers

Following three successful years of hosting the Abu Dhabi Science Festival, the Abu Dhabi Technology Development Committee announced earlier this year plans to develop and build a 6,500sq.m interactive science center. The Abu Dhabi Science Center will be located at the nexus of the Emirate's Scienc, Technology and Innovation hub on the Masdar City Campus adjacent to MIST (Masdar Institute for Science & Technology); and will feature seven interactive galleries, education classrooms, a teacher learning center, and a robust slate of informal science education programs. This presentation will focus on the planning and design considerations for ensuring the best informal science education experience for the people of Abu Dhabi, as well as the idea of designing galleries and exhibits to support future workface development in the UAE.

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Videos