Our School

Qatar Foundation’s mission is to help Qatar transform into a competitive and diversified economy with knowledge-intensive sectors. Doing so can only be accomplished by promoting a comprehensive suite of learning opportunities for students within QF’s Pre-University Education (PUE).

Qatar, similar to most fast growing countries, requires a steady stream of highly qualified professional thinkers and innovators. In QF’s effort to fulfil its mission and to provide a sustainable source of experienced and capable technologists, engineers, and medical professionals, the concept of QAST was developed.

The original business plan was developed Pre-University Education (PUE) within QF in the fall of 2015 and once the founding director was hired in the spring of 2016 the business and educational plan was detailed.

As founding director, Dr Gregory Moncada began working on the detailed educational expectations based on current STEM research.

At QAST, student engagement and rigorous content guide our learning objectives. Problem-based and mastery-based challenges and skills are developed through dedicated time each week using our own cyclical process of Challenge, Research, Investigate, Synthesize and Prototype (CRISP). The CRISP projects are real-world scenarios based on Qatar’s Grand Challenges. These experiences engage our students in critical challenges whereby the students learn from local experts and researchers. Doing so allows our students to identify the current thinking about the issue and to help focus, enrich, and make the issues real and immediate.

Moreover, we focus on ELA, Social Studies, Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, Computer Programming, Arabic/French, and Arabic History. All of our courses draw their standards from AERO and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Common Core English and Language Arts (CC ELA), Qatar’s Ministry of Education, and Mathematics are also utilized extensively.

How we learn at QAST

Knowledge and skills are necessary for meaningful learning. At QAST, we have very high knowledge acquisition expectations. Our students arrive with advanced abilities in mathematics and English speaking, reading, and writing. We then provide a fast-paced and rigorous curriculum in mathematics, physics, engineering, English Language Arts (ELA), social studies, Arabic history and Arabic. For those not learning Arabic, we offer French.

Skills are also taught. Whether it is how to use a dremel tool for smoothing plastic, designing a product using Solidworks, or using our 3D printers and laser cutters efficiently, all of these skills build to create a student who can use any medium and any tool to solve challenging problems.

Skills are also cognitive and we teach our students to think critically, analyze data, and communicate effectively.

We also teach our student how to collaborate effectively to reach a goal, research topics, or to approach learning with maturity and enthusiasm.

Combined, the knowledge and skills help our students learn effectively and achieve their academic goals as well as their ability to solve real world problems.

All of our knowledge and skills are taught using the process of mastery. This means that students do not receive letter grades and rather move along a continuum of improving ability. Yes, our students are required to actually learn the content and the skills. To do this well, our teachers view assessments as opportunities to grow and improve. Students can try again and again until they master the content or skill to an acceptable level.

Learning is a process and applying your knowledge and skills to real problems creates passionate and engaged students. A QAST graduate will have the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed at the best universities, transform ideas into real things, and over time, change the world!

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Our staff has been selected to bring together a set of complementary skills and knowledge that allows our school to offer the very best STEM-focused education. As well as being accomplished teachers, our staff has experience of working in industry, research, and academia, allowing us to add considerable depth to our students’ education.


	Dr. Gregory Moncada Director Dr Gregory Moncada is the founding director of QAST. Most recently, Dr Moncada was the Principal of the International Community School (ICS) in the Lake Washington School District near Seattle Washington. At that time, ICS was one of the top STEM schools in the nation. Prior to his work at ICS, he was the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Coordinator for the Bainbridge Island School District. Before arriving to Bainbridge Island, Dr. Moncada was an international administrator and teacher in Vienna, Austria, (4 years); Johannesburg, South Africa (7 years), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, (6 years), and Bilbao, Spain (3 years).
	Samuel Abrams Principal Sam Abrams studied Math Education at Brigham Young University in the United States and received a Master in Educational Leadership in 2012. He has developed a successful study skills class, worked for various small personalized learning schools, help increase Math test scores to the highest seen marks at prestigious high schools, and started the first competency based education program in Qatar.
	Vaughan Lewis Curriculum Coordinator Vaughan Lewis studied aeronautical engineering and has taught physics in the UK, Spain, Thailand, and Kuwait. More recently he led education outreach for Rolls-Royce, before leading a team at STEM Learning, the UK’s national center dedicated to improving the skills and knowledge of STEM teachers.
	Lisa AbiDaoud School Counselor Lisa AbiDaoud is a Canadian expat who has been living and working the Middle East for the past 10 years. Lisa’s first career was Personal Lines Insurance in which she was exposed to many areas; including underwriting, sales, and service. She left the insurance industry to fulfill her lifelong dream to be an educator. Lisa’s passion is to watch all students succeed and to assist them in their personal, social, and academic development.
	Zayed Qassem Arabic and Islamic Studies Zayed Qassem is an author, teacher, trainer, and IB visit team member. He graduated from the Faculty of Arts, Cairo University, in 1995 and received a diploma in education in 1997. Zayed has over 20 years teaching experience and now supports other teachers through his role as a part-time trainer/technology coach.
	Idris Alim Computing and Engineering Idris Alim studied and worked within both mechanical and civil engineering in the UK before becoming a teacher. He developed his programing knowledge and skills through robotics and now brings this passion for teaching, engineering, and programming to QAST.
	Peter Barnett Engineering Peter Barnett has been a teacher for over 14 years and is also a master farrier, vehicle mechanic, metalsmith, and welder. He gained his experience and knowledge through an apprenticeship, serving in the British Army’s Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and university study.
	Maha Al Mourtada French and Research Skills Originally from Lebanon, Maha Al Mourtada received a French education, and teaching foreign languages is her passion. Alongside her teaching, Maha has over 11 years of experience in Library Services and teaching eResources, and supporting students with critical research skills.
	Abdullah Abdulle Mathematics Abdullah Abdulle studied and worked in London prior to joining the QAST team. He worked in three different schools; Al-Risalah Secondary School, Saint John Bosco College, and Richmond Park Academy. His goal is to prepare students for success at higher level mathematics with clear support in developing study habits, organizational skills, and time management.
	Ellen Mussleman Social Studies An historian and archaeologist, Ellen Mussleman has a Master’s Degree in Education and enjoys sharing her passion for the social sciences with QAST students. Ellen brings the curriculum to life for our students, giving them social and historical context for all our studies at QAST.
	Jeanetta Murray English Jeanetta Murray has been a teacher of English for over 15 years, with experience teaching English as a second language, social studies, and language arts. She has taught in Taiwan, South Korea, and the United States and has a passion for traveling, reading, sports, and music. Jeanetta is excited to be helping QAST students build on their passion for English and continue to be active readers and writers.

QAST Calendar 2020-21

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QAST Calendar 2019-2020

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Online Open house

Qatar Academy for Science and Technology, a member of Qatar Foundation is a STEM High School from Grade 8 till Grade 12

QAST invites you for a Online Open house to learn more about our progressive STEM curriculum

Date : Tuesday, May 25, at 3:00 pm

For registration please fill in the following form

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1_DFgP6zpmMHZGPswF1VU-sn7olCSlHBTs4AwPqx2xZM/edit

For info call us at 44546426