BEIRUT: In an effort to step up support for green projects, Environment Minister Nazim Khoury launched an international science fair in the Metn town of Dbayyeh Thursday to spread awareness among students about the environment and biodiversity.

NGOs from around the world will take part in the two-week fair at Dbayyeh’s Science Village.

“A visit to this village might constitute for many children an introduction to sustainable development, a green economy and many other important subjects,” Khoury said at the opening of the exhibition.

The village stretches over 10,000 square meters and has workshops dedicated to educating students about experiments in biology, physics, chemistry, astronomy and even robotics.

The minister said that visitors would learn about alternative energy, including wind, solar and hydropower.

According to Khoury, the mixing of science games and scientific workshops would reflect positively in the students’ academic life and their behavior outside school.

“The entertaining games and scientific workshops are a smart way to make students love science and make them aware of the benefits of renewable energy,” Khoury added.

“This indirect educational step that is being implemented by the Science Village can be the start of a journey.”

Khoury also said that such projects greatly help the authorities in the fight against practices that harm the environment by raising awareness.

The administration of the Science Village said that schools around the country were welcome to visit the fair between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. throughout the week. Exhibitions from various countries in the world will be on display during the event.