Dhahran | B | B
May 18, 2026

Inside King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra), specifically within the Energy Exhibit, games were no longer merely a form of entertainment.

During “Science Days,” they transformed into interactive tools for exploring:
physics,
engineering,
energy,
and motion,
through a ten-day experience held from May 7 to May 16, 2026.

The event, organized by Ithra — an initiative by Saudi Aramco — presented science through a different lens by blending:
play,
experimentation,
design,
and discovery,
within an environment that allowed visitors to experience scientific concepts firsthand rather than simply receiving them theoretically.

Presentation

“Science Days” drew inspiration from the world of amusement parks, but reimagined it as an open scientific playground, where every activity concealed an engineering concept or scientific explanation connected to everyday life.

In one corner, a child repeatedly rebuilt parts of a miniature roller coaster after discovering that the angle of descent affected the cart’s speed.

Nearby, another child carefully tested a claw mechanism she had designed herself, trying to understand how:
force,
motion,
and balance
could alter the outcome.

Visitors moved through five main experiences designed to simplify concepts related to science, technology, and engineering through hands-on participation.

In:
“What If You Were Inside the Game?”
participants did not simply answer questions — they built their own roles within interactive game worlds, navigating paths that introduced them to different engineering identities.

Meanwhile,
“The Motion Wonders Lab”
became a space for experimentation and design, where visitors created game models using simple and sustainable materials to understand movement and rotational mechanics.

In:
“A Scientific Roller Coaster Tour,”
tracks and slopes transformed into live lessons on:
gravity,
energy,
and speed.

Meanwhile,
“The Claw Challenge”
demonstrated how:
force,
shape,
and balance
affect the ability of a mechanism to grasp objects.

Even:
“The Flavor Cart,”
inspired by amusement park food stands, carried a scientific dimension, showing visitors how simple ingredients such as sugar and corn kernels transform through heat and motion into familiar products.

B Analysis

What truly distinguished this experience was not merely simplifying science,
but presenting it through the language of:
wonder,
interaction,
and live experimentation.

A child who discovers gravity through play,
or understands movement through building and testing,
may emotionally connect with science before connecting with it academically.

And this is where the deeper value lies.

Today, the world is no longer seeking only:
traditional education,
but rather:
the creation of curiosity,
the ignition of passion,
and the connection of knowledge to daily life.

At a deeper level,
initiatives like this reflect how Saudi Arabia is gradually transforming into an environment that invests in:
mind,
creativity,
and modern scientific and cultural experiences,
through approaches that move beyond traditional educational frameworks.

They also reinforce the idea that major cultural institutions are no longer merely venues for display,
but platforms for shaping:
awareness,
imagination,
and innovation.