Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) announced in a statement that the State of Qatar achieved a distinguished international milestone by securing first place globally at the high school level in the scientific and technological competition "Myth Smashers," organized in cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Austria under the theme "Busting Myths in Nuclear Science."
Qatar was represented in the competition by students from Um Hakeem Secondary School for Girls: Fatima Al-Badr, Zainab Omar, and Sirine Amr.
This achievement comes as a result of the tireless efforts made by supervisors from the Science and Computer Technology departments within the Educational Guidance Department of the Educational Affairs Sector at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, alongside the supervision of teachers from the Chemistry and Information Technology departments at Um Hakeem Secondary School for Girls, the MoEHE statement read.
The results of the competition were announced on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, during the Regional Meeting of Science and Technology Project Coordinators with the IAEA, held in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
This achievement holds special significance as it demonstrates the ability of Qatari students to translate scientific knowledge into research, inquiry, and innovation, actively participating in addressing modern scientific challenges while enhancing Qatar's presence on international scientific platforms, MoEHE said.
Securing first place globally underscores the success of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education's efforts to support high-achieving students, advance the fields of science, technology, research, and innovation, and provide a stimulating educational environment that enables students to apply their knowledge and skills in real-world scientific challenges, it continued.
"This honor serves as a qualitative addition to Qatar's record of student achievements. It reflects the quality outcomes of the educational system and the capability of Qatari students to compete and lead globally, contributing to building a skilled, knowledgeable, and confident generation capable of driving a knowledge-based economy and achieving Qatar’s vision for an innovative and sustainable future."
The "Myth Smashers" competition is an international scientific platform designed to promote a culture of scientific research and inquiry among students, while developing innovation, critical thinking, analysis, and evidence-based reasoning skills. It also empowers students to responsibly engage with contemporary scientific issues, corrects unscientific concepts and beliefs surrounding nuclear science and technology, and fosters a scientific culture based on reliable data and evidence
