Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Sunday, Jun 22, 2025

Partnership builds science acumen among young Arab readers

Science articles are not always accessible to young people due to complex terms and concepts, but finding the story in science can bridge this gap.
An innovative, science publications collaboration between King Abdullah University of Science Technology (KAUST) and Frontiers for Young Minds (FYM) is inspiring Arabic speaking youth in the Kingdom and around the world towards discovery and scientific research by engaging them in the publications process. The partnership has resulted in its first article written and reviewed originally in Arabic.

“KAUST has been our [partner and contributor] since the inception of our Arabic version of the journal, and through their kind support we have created extensive publications in Arabic since launch in mid-2021,” said Laura Henderson, head of the public outreach program at Frontiers. The award-winning FYM program provides child-friendly, high-quality scientific articles — uniquely edited by children (age 8-15) — to engage youth globally.

In 2020, KAUST partnered with FYM to help produce materials for young readers on FYM’s Arabic website. Up until now, these articles all have been translations. However, on April 17, 2023, the initiative published its first Arabic-original science article, The Story of Legionella: From Surviving inside Amoebas to Causing Pneumonia, written by Yousef Abu Kwaik, a professor of molecular microbial pathogenesis in the College of Medicine, and doctoral student Tasneem Al-quadan, both at the University of Louisville, USA.

“The inaugural science article written and reviewed originally in Arabic shows how KAUST’s collaboration with Frontiers supports an accessible understanding of complex scientific concepts for even the youngest readers,” said Dr. Najah Ashry, vice president of KAUST for Strategic National Advancement. “Early engagement with Saudi youth and other Arabic-speaking young people helps ensure this region develops the necessary STEAM leadership for the future.”

Mentorship from KAUST PhD student

For English-speaking readers, The Story of Legionella: From Surviving inside Amoebas to Causing Pneumonia is already available online. In both the English and Arabic versions, the article describes Legionella pneumophila — a water-dwelling bacteria that has evolved to thrive in amoebas and can infect human macrophages, potentially causing disease.

Three children, including two Saudis, reviewed the manuscript. A KAUST PhD student mentored the youth. As with other FYM articles, young reviewers worked under the science mentors’ guidance to provide authors with direct feedback on how to make the article clear and fun for children to read.

Somayah Albaradei, 35, who graduated from KAUST in 2022 with a PhD in Computer Science, served as one of the article’s science mentors. Now an assistant professor at King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Albaradei said that the opportunity to pass on knowledge and encourage innovation in Arabic was unique and valuable.

“The best way to make future remarkable discoveries and more promising young scientists is to invest in them by enabling young people and scientists to work together to create accurate and exciting articles. This will have an impact on achieving the Saudi 2030 Vision of a vibrant society, thriving economy and an ambitious nation.”

An opportunity to support FYM

With the pilot established, Henderson said that FYM is encouraging more Arabic-speaking researchers to support the program, and that it is increasing opportunities for Arabic-speaking youth to participate in and learn from this unique peer-review process. The program calls for Arabic-speaking PhD-holders, experienced in peer review and specialist science areas, to apply as mentors, and Arabic-speaking researchers with active publication records to apply as authors.

According to Henderson, FYM and KAUST support each others’ missions by uniting to communicate the best ground-breaking research to the widest possible global audience, inspiring the next generation of top scientists. “I am sure that the relationship will continue to develop to support further new projects and events, expanding our Arabic-speaking recognition and prestige.”

By working with science mentors and by being part of a crucial stage in the research process, young reviewers gain critical-thinking skills while learning about the latest science and how the scientific method works. For more information on supporting the program, contact FYM at kids.arabic@frontiersin.org.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Mass exodus in Tehran as millions try to flee following Trump’s evacuation order
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
Iran Conducts Ballistic Missile Launches Amid Heightened Tensions with Israel
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
Wreck of $17 Billion San José Galleon Identified Off Colombia After 300 Years
Iran Launches Extensive Missile Attack on Israel Following Israeli Strikes on Nuclear Sites
Israel Issues Ultimatum to Iran Over Potential Retaliation and Nuclear Facilities
Black Box Recovered from Air India Crash Site
Coinbase CEO Warns Bitcoin Could Supplant US Dollar Amid Mounting National Debt
Trump to Iran: Make a Deal — Sign or Die
Operation "Like a Lion": Israel Strikes Iran in Unprecedented Offensive
Israel Launches 'Operation Rising Lion' Targeting Iranian Nuclear and Military Sites
Israeli Forces Intercept Gaza-Bound Aid Vessel Carrying Greta Thunberg
IMF Warns of Severe Global Trade War Impacts on Emerging Markets
Syria to Reconnect to Global Economy After 14 Years of Isolation
Israel Confirms Arming Gaza Clan to Counter Hamas Influence
Global News Roundup: From Ukraine's strategic military strikes and Russia's demands and Tensions Escalate in Ukraine, to serious legal issues faced by Britons in Bali and Trump's media criticism, the latest developments highlight a turbulent landscape
U.S. Reduces Military Presence in Syria
Trump Demands Iran End All Uranium Enrichment in Nuclear Talks
Iran Warns Europe Against Politicizing UN Nuclear Report
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
European and Arab Ministers Convene in Madrid to Address Gaza Conflict
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
Trump Administration Cancels $100 Million in Federal Contracts with Harvard
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure, Mars Mission Timeline Uncertain
King Charles Affirms Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Statehood Pressure
×