The ExxonMobil STEAM Festival, currently taking place at the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ), offers children and families a unique opportunity to engage with Qatar’s maritime heritage through hands-on activities that combine science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). The festival highlights traditional sailing and navigation techniques once used by seafarers across the Arabian Gulf.
A central attraction within the festival is the “Roots of Routes” zone, where participants build model dhows and craft kamals, a simple celestial navigation tool employed by sailors to determine latitude by measuring star positions above the horizon. Visitors can choose from three traditional dhow types, each historically associated with distinct maritime functions: the Al Jalbut, used primarily for pearling and coastal fishing; the Sanbouk, also involved in pearling and fishing and familiar today through dhow cruises along Doha’s Corniche; and the Boom, a vessel designed for long-distance trade and carrying heavy cargo such as timber.
After assembling their dhow, participants create a kamal—a rectangular board attached to a cord with knots spaced to represent different star measurements—and receive guidance on how to use it. This activity introduces children to early forms of celestial navigation, demonstrating how sailors relied on observations of the night sky coupled with simple instruments to navigate vast bodies of water.
Once their kamal is complete, participants test their navigation skills on a large floor map by embarking on one of three designated missions. Using the kamal to find latitude readings, they follow clues to identify destinations and place their dhows accordingly, transforming abstract concepts like measurement, geography, astronomy, and engineering into interactive experiences.
Families attending the festival have expressed enthusiasm for the educational approach. Rohit Gupta, a visitor with his daughter, described the activities as an enjoyable way for children to learn through hands-on creation, noting their plan to return to attempt additional navigation challenges.
Beyond “Roots of Routes,” the festival includes a variety of activities suited to different age groups. The STEAM Lab offers programs such as the DADU Light Atelier for younger children and the ExxonMobil Research Qatar x DADU Mangroves Lab, which explores marine biology through Qatar’s coastal ecosystems. Additional workshops and events at NMoQ’s Digital and AI Centre and Library feature the Evolution of Navigation workshops, a Teen Tech Takeover focused on augmented-reality filter creation, a Silk Road-themed board game, and storytelling sessions that highlight maritime travel and traditional boatbuilding.
For older participants, the festival hosts Café Scientifique: Careers in STEAM, providing those aged 16 and over with opportunities to engage in discussions about education paths and careers within STEAM fields.
The ExxonMobil STEAM Festival, running until November 28, aims to connect scientific learning with Qatar’s cultural heritage, allowing visitors of all ages to experience how generations of sailors once navigated the seas using stars and traditional craftsmanship.