As the holidays stretch out in front of students enjoying a break from their schoolwork, Sharjah’s Al Noor Island is providing an ideal solution to keep young minds alert while giving them a sense of responsibility to the environment they must cherish for the rest of their lives.

‘The Island Explorer’ summer programme is based mainly around the island’s Butterfly House, the only attraction of its kind in Sharjah and, thanks to its huge emphasis on natural surroundings, one of the most popular in the emirate.

It is home to more than 20 species of butterflies, with more than 500 individual fluttering about any given day.

The programme is split into two age ranges, aimed at 9-12 and 13-16 year-olds, catering to their different interests and the depth of understanding needed to make the most of their time, which includes natural history, life cycles of the butterflies and even being a member of staff for a day.

The children will hear from experts about the environmental importance of butterflies and their place in a sustainable future and gain insights into one of the world’s most exotic species.

There are some fascinating topics and scientific findings to be uncovered in the workshops, which delve deep into the butterfly world. Plant care, farming and habitat management will be explained in a fun and entertaining way, along with discovering the perfect environment for imported pupae and the importance of metamorphosis.

As well as learning key facts about butterflies and the other wildlife on Noor Island, which lies on the northern shores of Khalid Lagoon, Marwa Obaid Al Shamsi, Al Noor Island Manager, believes the children will also develop valuable skills for their social and working lives in the future.

“The Butterfly House is an outstanding attraction in its own right and has some of the most beautiful specimens for the thousands of visitors we welcome each year. For the students, it is a great way to study the environment, lifecycles and importance of our butterflies and at the same time understand the value of working as a team, developing observation and recording skills, communicating clearly and analysing data. This is a fantastic way for them to enter a world of science and natural history while having great fun with children of their own age,” she said.

“As well as being able to identify the various birds and plants around the island, the youngsters will also learn about framing butterflies and will act as a member of staff for a day, where they will monitor and care for the butterflies.” she added.

For 9-12 year olds, the programme runs every Monday and Wednesday from 24  July – 2 August,, and for 13-16 year olds, the course is every Monday and Wednesday from 14 - 23 August. The programme costs AED 580, with the main meal provided by Noor Cafe.

The 45,470 square metre Al Noor Island in Sharjah’s Khalid Lagoon, is a one-of-a-kind architectural project, which allows people to engage with nature and avant-garde design in spacious enclaves and avenues. Launched by the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), the island encapsulates Shurooq’s commitment to reinforcing Sharjah's status as a leading cultural, tourist and investment destination in the region.

Through Al Noor Island and other high-value projects creating world-class destinations, Shurooq aims to stimulate Sharjah’s fast growing leisure and tourism, and contribute to the emirate’s tourism vision with a plan to attract 10 million visitors by 2021.