Visitors to the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF) 2016, which takes place from April 20-30 at Expo Centre Sharjah, have the opportunity to travel on an unparalleled journey to outer space. The eighth edition of the popular literary event, organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), for the first time features an interactive exhibition ‘Beyond Planet Earth: The Future of Space Exploration’ promising intrepid adventurers and out-of-the world experience.

Seeking to send pioneering explorers on a trip throughout the cosmos, ‘Beyond Planet Earth: The Future of Space Exploration’ will take visitors of all ages on an amazing journey through outer space to examine the universe, its galaxies, stars and planets.

Hind Abdullah Lenaid, Manager of Fairs and Festivals at SBA, said; “We are delighted to present the spectacular exhibition Beyond Planet Earth, which will take visitors of all ages on enjoyable voyages to space where they will learn about THE universe, how we can travel from one planet to another, and much more. Visitors will enjoy the life of an astronaut and experience what it is like to be a spaceman - or spacewoman - with the many challenges involved in spaceflight today and in the future."

Lenaid underlined the importance of the exhibition in encouraging children to learn about the benefits of space exploration. She said that it was important to give more attention to this section of science, as youngsters attending will be enthused to continue their studies in this area in the future, something that is in line with the UAE’s approach to enter this unique world and contribute to human scientific achievement. The exhibition aims to play a role in satisfying the curiosity of children and developing their imagination about the future of life on planet Earth. It also intends to stimulate children’s interest in living organisms and to urge them to continue to search for life elsewhere in the universe.

Each day of the 11-day exhibition, visitors to Beyond Planet Earth: The Future of Space Exploration will enjoy a spectacular new activity that will take them on a journey to explore the future of human space travel and find out what are likely to be the upcoming space discoveries and breakthroughs in the Solar System and beyond. SCRF’s visitors will experience exploration on the surface of the Moon, discover how we can colonise Mars and enjoy the search for life on other planets that are far from earth.

The interactive exhibition will feature a collection of mini-presentations, including the ‘Solar System Theatre,’ ‘Returning to the Moon,’ ‘Exploring Asteroids’,’ and ‘Voyaging to Mars.’

The visitors will enjoy practical experiences, interactive tests and many other activities designed to be fun whilst also enriching scientific knowledge in collaboration with Sharjah Center for Astronomy & Space Sciences.

The eighth edition of the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF) commences April 20 at Expo Centre Sharjah, with the participation of 130 publishing houses from 15 countries and featuring more than 1,500 cultural, educational and entertainment events. Themed ‘Shine Out,’ SCRF 2016 aspires to promote a love of reading in children, uncover their talents, help them to acquire knowledge and enable them to develop their capabilities.