Pre-Jury - Jordan - Science Film Festival - Knowledge Through Entertainment

A pre-jury of more than 30 local science education and science communication professionals from the participating countries are closely involved in the selection of the films.

In the region of Middle East & North Africa the pre-jury in 2018 consisted of the following members:

Jordan

Hiba Almarahleh, born in Amman Jordan, holds a BA in the specialization of early childhood development. As a program supervisor for the Children’s Museum Jordan, Almarahleh utilizes her educational background in order to positively impact childhood development within Jordan. Through the brainstorming, designing and implementation of interactive educational experiences, Almarahleh delivers educational topics through novel and unconventional channels, which are attractive, engaging and interesting to children. Almarahleh is unwavering in her efforts to create memorable educational experiences, which she believes will leave distinct imprints within the empty canvas of a child’s mind.

Program supervisor
The Children’s Museum- Jordan

Jordan

Noor Nassar is an Activities Specialist at Knowledge Path library. A children’s library at Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation in Jordan.Noor has been one of the people coordinating the Science Film Festival in Jordan since 2014.Other than her passion for Fun Science, Noor studies the art of Music and Movement. And uses Edutainment "educational and entertaining" methods with children to increase their creativity in all things they desire. Some of her long life passions include playing the Piano, Rythm Movement, Fun Science and Travelling.

Activities Specialist,
Knowledge Path Library

Egypt

Ms. Gaber has earned her Bachelor’s degree in science in 2005, from the Faculty of Science, Alexandria University. In 2006, she made her first steps in the field of informal science communication as the Coordinator of environmental awareness activities, in Ecosystems and Human Development Association EHDA (NGO). In Mar 2009, she has successfully completed her M.Sc. in the integrated land management in drylands, granted from the UNU/IRA/INAT/CARRERI/TU/ICARDA. In Feb 2009, she joined the Bibliotheca Alexandrina Planetarium Science Center as an educational program specialist and in 2013 she was appointed the head of events unit, where she started delivering several outreach activities and science events to the public. Her vision is shaped mainly by the fact that good science centers do more than provide specific information. Unfortunately, the majority of schools are suffering from lack of funds, little interest from students and parents, out of date teaching practices, and even a fundamentally flawed way to measure performance at schools. That is why she believed that science activities/events should provide more challenging, authentic and higher-order learning experiences, more opportunities for students to participate into scientific practices and work with scientific representations and tools. Thus eventually, enriches and transforms the students’ concepts and initial ideas.

Head of events unit, Planetarium science center, Bibliotheca Alexandrina

Sudan

Dr. Shams Eldin Younis Nagmeldin, Born in Atbara, Sudan in 20/10/1962, awarded Bachelor Degree in Criticism, and Theater Studies, Master of Arts in Archeology, and PhD in Theater Studies, and Diploma in Translation. Currently, he is Associate prof. in theater Studies at Sudan University for Science and Technology, and Head, Department of Events at Al Faisal Cultural Center. He was the Ex. General Manger of the Arts, and Culture Department, the General Manager of the National Theater, and Undersecretary of Ministry of Culture. Dr. Shams is a member of several organizations as: Philosophy Section, Epistomological Enlightment Center, Council of Music and Acting Professions, the Coordination of Scientific Research Khartoum University, Council of intelligence Property Protection Jury, Board of Trustees Arab Theater Institute- Sharjah and Permanent Committee of Arabic Culture UNESCO. Dr. Shams Eldin was a journalist and Editor in many Magazine and Newspapers, he published many articles in Magazines and participated in many conferences and Seminars outside and inside Sudan.

Associate Prof. in Theater Studies at Sudan University for Science and Technology,
Head, Department of Events at Al Faisal Cultural Center

United Arab Emirates

Raya Zabalawi received her bachelor degree in pharmaceutical engineering from the German Jordanian University in Amman, Jordan. Her passion for education drove her to teach mathematics for 5 years in Amman. After having had to relocate with her family to Abu Dhabi in 2016, she wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to explore her other areas of interest like intercultural communication and cultural exchange through cultural projects and since then has been working at the Goethe-Institut in Abu Dhabi. She is currently a cultural project manager and is coordinating the Science Film Festival 2018 in the United Arab Emirates.

Cultural Project Manager,
Goethe-Institut Abu Dhabi

Palestine Territories

She Studied Radio and TV broadcast in Birzeit University, and has been a member of the media committee of the “Science Days in Palestine” Festival and the “Science Film Festival” for two years.

Researcher in Educational Media in the Educational Research and Development Program/A.M Qattan Foundation in Palestine