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Director’s Note

June 2023

TDF’s MagnifiScience Centre

Dear Science Centre visitors and well-wishers,

The Dawood Foundation’s MagnifiScience Centre (MSC) is a unique space where science

fascinates everyone. We feel blessed to humbly announce, that we welcomed in April our

300,000th visitor. This demonstrates the rising appetite for Science, Technology, Engineering, and

Mathematics (STEM) through informal learning. The curiosity and enthusiasm that each of you

brings to the MSC to interact with the exhibits is our incentive and fuel. Over 95% of our visitors to

the MSC are from within Karachi, but the number of visitors from Sindh, Baluchistan, and even

further away is encouraging and steadily increasing.

We have started with thematic topics for the science programmes at the MSC, which serve as a

red thread each month - in May, it was “Magic of Science,” and in June it was titled “Science is in

the Air.” Weekend programmes include workshops, table experiments across different floors, and

sessions at the STEM lab on the roof, outside near the garden, or at the auditorium on the first

floor. Our team of experts present and conduct these sessions. Further information about science

programmes is available on the calendar on the website.

This school summer vacation, the second year running, we held our popular ‘STEAM Champ

Summer Camp’ programme for children between the ages of 3 to 16, as well as the Junior

Internship Programme for young learners between the ages of 12 to 18. Both programmes provide

experiential learning opportunities in a workplace environment and STEM concepts. This year

once again, we supported colleges and universities through our Undergrad Internship Programme.

Thanks to a great response from our visitors and audience, we continue with the temporary

exhibition “Animal Superpower” on the third floor, which highlights the unique abilities of various

animals, making them akin to superheroes. The newsletter further highlights other initiatives of

our mission, “science is for everyone,” at the MSC.

For easy and efficient entry to the Centre, we recently launched an online ticket system on our

website. You may also use this facility to purchase annual and family passes to MSC, from the

convenience of your home.

The project “Expand STEM Education in Low-Income Private Schools” which began in October

2022, and is funded by the U.S. Government with the MSC as implementing partner is entering its

final phase. You will read more about it in our next newsletter.

We remain focused on our mission to make science accessible and interesting for all. Together,

we will continue to push the boundaries of scientific discovery, inspire curiosity, and foster a love

for science in individuals of all ages. Thank you for being an integral part of our journey. We look

forward to welcoming you to the MSC again soon.

US STEM GRANT

In Loving Memory of

Shahzada Dawood & Suleman Dawood

June 2023

TDF’s MagnifiScience Centre

With profound sorrow, we mourn the tragic loss of Shahzada and Suleman who had embarked on a

journey to visit the sunken wreckage of the legendary Titanic in the depths of the Atlantic Ocean.

These beloved members of the sponsor family of The Dawood Foundation were aboard the Ocean

Gate submersible that was presumed lost at sea on 18 June 2023. In this unfathomable tragedy,

we try to find solace in the enduring legacy of humility and humanity that they have left behind and

find comfort in the belief that they passed on to the next leg of their spiritual journey hand-in-hand,

father and son.

Shahzada and Suleman were extraordinary individuals; they were each staunch supporters of the

Science Centre and actively supported its mission. During his visits to Karachi, Shahzada would

come to the MagnifiScience Centre. On one such visit, he presented an astronomy lover’s dream to

the Centre: A unique donation of a telescope he had brought from the SETI Institute. To the delight

of astronomy enthusiasts, this wonderful gift was made accessible to the public during astronomy

events hosted at the Science Centre. Shahzada was always very pleased to learn that children and

other astronomy enthusiasts used the telescope to pursue their passion for exploration of the

unknown, one characteristic he lived and died for.

During another visit in the winter, Shahzada used the Centre for interaction with women employees

and leaders to discuss the importance of diversity in the work environment. Again, an issue we

keep implementing and following proudly at the Centre.

19-year-old Suleman will be remembered as a young science lover who enjoyed interactive science

on a daily base. He always had his Rubik’s Cube with him which almost seemed like a natural

extension of his arm. He was extremely adept at solving this 3D puzzle and it used to surprise

people of all ages. During one of his visits to the Science Centre last year, the speed with which he

turned around the cube and solved what was for most of us unsolvable, amazed everyone.

Shahzada and his son will be sorely missed and dearly remembered. The Science Centre family has

lost two precious members. The absence of Shahzada and Suleman will be deeply felt. Their

always-enriching presence, down-to-earth attitude, and constant curious minds will forever be an

inspiration. They had passionate views of the wonders of this world, respect for everything living

on this planet, and an unquenched thirst for learning.

Christoph S. Sprung

US STEM GRANT

We are proud to announce that Simran

Mahesh Lal Devnani, Operations Assistant

at MSC, participated in Special Olympics in

Germany. She was selected as part of the

Bocce team, an Italian Special Olympics

sport. She serves as a beacon of hope for

all, inspiring us to never give up on our

dreams!

It was a great honor to have the presence

of the Consul General of the United Arab

Emirates in Karachi, H.E. Bakheet Ateeq

Al-Romaithi at the MSC. His commitment

to education and passion for science and

technology was apparent during his tour of

the Centre.

Simran Mahesh

Lal Devnani at Special

Olympics in Germany

H.E. Bakheet Ateeq

Al-Romaithi’s Visit

to MSC

The ‘Expand STEM Education in Low-Income

Private Schools’ project in collaboration with

the US Consulate General reached its final

stage. After a comprehensive three-stage

process including STEM training, a field trip to

MSC, and a science project competition

amongst 50 schools, a group of 24 Pakistani

female and male students from the 3 winning

schools in Karachi have proceeded to attend

the Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama, USA.

US Space Camp Odyssey

June 2023

TDF’s MagnifiScience Centre

Sponsor a child’s visit to the MSC

Weekend Programmes

On weekends, visitors can experience

themed programmes and workshops at MSC.

During April, visitors at the STEM lab learnt

how to design a ‘Space Rocket’. They learnt

about the design process and worked on the

Tinker CAD application to develop

symmetrical and asymmetrical shapes.

June 2023

TDF’s MagnifiScience Centre

In the month of May, STEM and other

programmes all across the Centre

demonstrated the ‘Magic of Science’, while

for, the June theme ’Science is in the Air’, the

Foodology workshop showcased

‘Cream + Air = Butter’ demonstrating, how

cream becomes butter through fat emulsifi-

cation, highlighting one of the many roles air

plays in ‘science‘ and scientific principles.

June 2023

TDF’s MagnifiScience Centre

STEAM Champ Summer Camp

This year, a week before kicking off the

STEAM Champ Summer Camp at MSC, an

orientation session was also held for the

parents of young campers, to explain the

inspiration behind the programme and the

various interactive activities planned for

different age groups. This interaction gave

parents the chance to get a better

understanding of camp activities and the

opportunity to meet the team.

After a successful summer camp last year, we

were back with another cycle of STEAM

Champ Summer Camp in June and July 2023.

The carefully curated creative activities and

learning events sparked curiosity while

teaching STEAM concepts in a fun and

engaging manner.

Catering to three different age groups between

3 to 16 years, the engagements planned

allowed the youngest groups to play, learn and

interact with their group mates and teachers,

while the older ones learned DIY, art and crafts,

robotics, programming, and automation.

Iftar Dinner at MSC

Ramzan Campaign

Ramadan is a month of fasting and feasting.

In this Holy month of Ramadan, an iftar and

dinner was held at MSC for owners and senior

members of Karachi’s school management

community. It was an evening of relaxation,

light-hearted conversations, networking, and

possible collaborations over a delicious iftar

spread.

This year a Ramzan campaign was launched

to ‘Support a child’s visit to MSC’ and bring

the magic of science to the lives of

underprivileged children. The month-long

campaign received a great response, and we

are thankful to our generous donors for their

support.

June 2023

TDF’s MagnifiScience Centre

Undergraduate Internship

Junior Internship Programme

The summer vacations brought with it the

eagerly awaited Junior Internship Programme

for children of ages 12 to 18. Interns, from a

range of schools and classes, came together

to work on projects that helped in

understanding the different business

functions as well develop their teamwork and

leadership skills. The interns also had an

opportunity to work on STEM projects and

develop prototypes.

The MSC Undergraduate Intern Programme

once again attracted students from

universities across Pakistan, for a 4 to 8

weeks period of internship. Interns were

assigned departments and mentors, and had

the opportunity to work on the job and

experience the workplace environment.

June 2023

TDF’s MagnifiScience Centre

Milestone Trust Visit

Rescue Rangers: Junior Doctor Adventure

The Centre welcomed a group of differently

abled visitors from the Milestone Trust, made

possible through a fundraising drum circle

workshop, in collaboration with Mohsin Qazi

at TDF Ghar. The children were facilitated by

our trained staff to cater to their special

needs, ensuring that they had access to all

floors and sections and could interact with the

exhibits.

The visit was a success in edutainment, which

was evident from the wide-eyed wonder and

happy smiles of the visiting students.

A first responders’ workshop, ‘Rescue

Rangers: Junior Doctor Adventure’ was held

at MSC in collaboration with Aga Khan

University's Centre for Innovation in Medical

Education - CIME. The action-packed event

trained the little ones with life-saving skills

through role-play. Attendees were also able

to gain medical knowledge and critical

thinking abilities through the immersive

experience.

June 2023

TDF’s MagnifiScience Centre

@TDFMagnifiScienceCentre

@tdf.magnifisciencecentre

www.magnifiscience.org

@tdf.magnifisciencecentre

msc@dawoodfoundation.org

021 38899672

What’s next?

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Sponsor a child’s visit to MSC.

We have planned a series of events and

activities that we will be bringing to you in the

coming weeks and months!

A range of programmes under the banner of

“Science of Energy” will be brought to you at

MSC in August 2023. The programmes and

fun activities will focus on the science of

energy in aspects of STEM, sustainability,

gardening, cooking, and other scientific

principles. Keep a lookout for these on our

social media pages.

As promised, we will soon be back with the

vibrant MSC Children’s Market. Keep an eye

out for the registrations so you and your

young entrepreneurs do not miss out on the

chance to be a part of it.

Do continue to view our media platforms to

stay updated with our programmes.

June 2023

TDF’s MagnifiScience Centre