1001 Inventions' Science Show and Schools Programme launches in Sao Paulo, Brazil

THIS EVENT IS COMPLETED


World-premier show and educational productions uncovering fascinating scientific legacy from Muslim Civilisation

 www.1001inventions.com.br 

Tuesday 23rd September 2014, Sao Paulo: A new theatrical science show and educational programme was launched today at the Institute of Butantan. The 1001 Inventions Brazil Schools Programme provides a fascinating insight into the history of science, medicine and technology from over one thousand years ago in a period known as the Golden Age of Muslim Civilisation.

Over the last decade, 1001 Inventions has reached over 100 million people across the globe, with educational campaigns in cities such as in LondonIstanbulNew YorkWashington DCLos AngelesKuala Lumpur,JeddahKarlstad and Rotterdam.

Developed specifically to engage schools in Brazil, the programme was produced by the United Kingdom based educational organisation 1001 Inventions in partnership with the Institute of Butantan in Sao Paulo, Qatar Museums, Qatar Ministry of Culture, the Government of Sao Paulo and is launched as part of the Qatar Brazil 2014 Year of Culture.

The science show and educational programme introduce a world of science and inventions from a creative era of Muslim Civilisation that spread across three continents from Spain and southern Portugal to as far east as China. During this historic period from the 7th century onwards, inspirational men and women of different faiths and cultures built upon the knowledge of ancient civilisations and made discoveries that have had a huge and often underappreciated impact on our world. Settlers who arrived in Brazil in the 16th century brought with them many of these ideas and discoveries that still shape modern life today.

“This programme is so important to inspiring our children today because it helps demonstrate that science is global and that other civilisations have contributed to the world we live in. This journey to the past can help us build a better future”, says Jorge Kalil, Director of Butantan Institute.

The ‘1001 Inventions Brazil Schools Programme’ provides educators and schools with a new, first-of-its-kind, live science show and short feature film starring Sir Ben Kingsley, and classroom materials that enrich the teaching of science, technology and mathematics. The diversity of the content provided interlinks themes of science with art and culture, helping to nurture student creative skills.

David Uip, São Paulo State Secretary of Health, commented that “It is wonderful to see the leading role in the 1001 Inventions science show as the character impersonation of Malba Tahan, our celebrated early 20th century Brazilian mathematician. Through his beautiful stories and books he introduced us to the same Middle Eastern golden age of science and discovery and this 1001 Inventions school programme continues that journey demonstrating how societies today, including those of Latin America, have had centuries of interactions with Muslim Civilisation.”

Ahmed Salim, Producer and Director of 1001 Inventions, said “Our 45 minute science show is fun, engaging, interactive and educational. It features actors role playing scientists from the past who attempt to bring back to life fascinating stories of discovery and link them to our lives today. From algebra to inoculation, from algorithms to time telling machines; This was an enlightening time in human history, contrary to what is sometimes called the darks ages, the period between the fall of the Roman Empire and the rise of the European Renaissance”.

Commenting on the significance of the ‘1001 Inventions Brazil Schools Programme, Safiya Al Hajari, Director of the Office of Strategic Cultural Relations, Qatar Museums, said: “We are delighted to be a part of this exciting educational programme that will further contribute to the cultural bridges that we are building between Qatar and Brazil as part of the Qatar Brazil 2014 Year of Culture.”

The ‘1001 Inventions Brazil Schools Programme’ is managed in Brazil by the Institute of Butantan in Sao Paulo. The first phase of the programme will be hosted at the Institute of Butantan where many schools will attend the live show and receive educational materials.

About 1001 Inventions

1001 Inventions is a British educational organisation and world leader in celebrating the scientific and cultural legacy of Muslim Civilisation.

1001 Inventions delivers global educational campaigns and creates award-winning productions including blockbuster exhibitions, festivals, films, live shows, books and learning materials.

1001 Inventions is the world’s leading Muslim Civilisation brand that has engaged and educated over 100 million people and established a global network of strategic partnerships and relationships with governments, educational institutions and organisations.

1001 Inventions demonstrates that for a thousand years from the seventh century onwards, exceptional scientific andtechnological advancements were made within Muslim Civilisation. In an areathat spread from Spain to China, men and women of various beliefs and backgrounds built upon knowledge from ancient civilisations, making breakthroughs that helped pave the way for the European Renaissance and impact our world today.

Many of these discoveries, inventions andideas spread, with the settlers, to Brazil in the 16th century influencing life today in homes, schools, hospitals, towns, and our understanding of the world and universe. www.1001inventions.com

About Qatar Museums

Qatar Museums connects the museums, cultural institutions and heritage sites in Qatar and creates the conditions for them to thrive and flourish. It centralizes resources and provides a comprehensive organization for the development of museums and cultural projects, with a long term ambition of creating a strong and sustainable cultural infrastructure for Qatar. Under the patronage of His Highness the Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and led by its Chairperson, Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, QM is consolidating Qatar’s efforts to become a vibrant center for the arts, culture and education, in the Middle East and beyond.

Since its foundation in 2005, QM has overseen the development of the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA), Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, and the Al Zubarah World Heritage Site Visitor Centre. The QM also manages the QMA Gallery at Katara and the ALRIWAQ DOHA Exhibition Space. Future projects include the opening of the Fire Station: Artists in Residence in 2014 and the launch of the highly anticipated National Museum of Qatar and the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum.

QM is committed to instigating Qatar’s future generation of arts, heritage and museum professionals. At its core is a commitment to nurturing artistic talent, creating opportunities and developing the skills to service Qatar’s emerging art economy. By means of a multi-faceted program and public art initiatives, QM seeks to push the boundaries of the traditional museum model, and create cultural experiences that spill out onto the streets and seek to involve the widest possible audiences. Through a strong emphasis on originating art and culture from within and fostering a spirit of national participation, QM is helping Qatar find its own distinctive voice in today’s global cultural debates.

About Qatar Brazil 2014

Qatar Brazil 2014 is a year-long cultural exchange programme dedicated to connecting people in Qatar and Brazil through culture, community and sport. Through a year full of thought-provoking activities, both nations strive to strengthen bilateral relations and create lasting partnerships. For more information: www.qatarbrazil2014.com

About Butantan Institute

Institute of Butantan is a leading research institution in Brazil, developing biological products for public health, undertaking basic and applied research, and promoting scientific knowledge. Founded in 1901, it is one of the largest biomedical research centres in the world in the areas of Biology, Biomedicine, Pharmacology and Biotechnology. For more information: www.butantan.gov.br