KAUST welcomed the next generation of scientists for a hands-on journey through the university’s biodiversity research and conservation efforts.

BioBooths 2026 - Discover KAUST Biodiversity brought KAUST’s marine and terrestrial biodiversity work to life through 12 interactive booths, welcoming students from The KAUST School and local schools across Thuwal. Throughout the morning, 388 TKS students and 135 students from five local schools - more than 500 students in total - explored the different stations, alongside members of the wider KAUST community. Moving between booths, students had the opportunity to ask questions, examine specimens, and explore topics ranging from coral ecosystems and marine life to desert wildlife, plants, and conservation efforts across campus.The event transformed ongoing research and biodiversity work into experiences students could see, touch, question, and connect with directly, offering a glimpse into what conservation looks like in practice at KAUST.

For the Marine Microbiomes Lab, BioBooths was also an opportunity to share our work and introduce younger generations to the fascinating world of coral reefs and the microorganisms that contribute to their health.

More broadly, the event highlighted how research, education, and environmental stewardship come together at KAUST, connecting students with the science and people working to understand and protect biodiversity along the Red Sea coast. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed their time, knowledge, creativity, and enthusiasm to making BioBooths 2026 a success.