The Academic Center for Youth Science Education

The Academic Youth Center

Tel Hai College

Definition of the Regional Problem

The gaps between the center of Israel and its peripheral regions are widening, due to inequality in opportunities

Although science and technology studies are viewed as essential to Israel's security and economy, only a small percentage of high school students in the Galilee regions choose these fields

Name of School

Number of

12th Grade

Students

Number of

Biology

Students

Number of

Chemistry Students

Number of

Physics

Students

Number of

Environmental Science

Students

Number of

Computers

Science

Students

Number of

Technology

Students

Har Vagai Kibbutz Dafna16222 (14%)5 (3%)12 (7%)--

Electronics

(6%)9

Einot Yarden Kibbutz Amir

626 (10%)6 (10%)----

Danziger Kiryat Shemona

21028 (13%)9 (4%)12 (6%)--Biotechnology

15 (7%)

Amit Safed8728 (32%)---3 (3%)-

Hamatmid Kiryat Shemona

4610 (21%)-----

Emek Hahula Kibbutz Kfar Blum

17811 (6%)-13 (7%)--Mechatronics

15 (8%)

Amit Hazor3511 (31%)-----

Nofe Golan Kazerin

14626 (18%)17 (12%)16 (11%)7 (5%)-12 (8%)

Ana Frank Sasa317 (23%)3 (10%)5 (16%)---

Total95715%4%6%0.8%0.5%5%

Main Educational Goals

Raising the numbers of high schools students who choose to major in science and technology (10th grade)

Fostering perseverance in science studies (11th & 12th grades)

Raising the numbers of students who conduct science project as part of their matriculation examination

Process-Oriented Model

Action Principles Active, fun, interesting learning environment Hands-on laboratory experiences Authentic scientific inquiry Led by Tel Hai’s faculty members, researchers and

experts in science education Activities that are not

available at local schools

Participants• 2009-10 academic year: about 750 students• Within two years the number will reach approximately 1,200 students

Participating schools:Danzinger Kiryat Shmona, HaMatmid Kiryat Shmona, Ort Hatzor, Amal Safed,Ulpanit Safed, Tuba Zangeria,Amit Hazor, Har Vagai, Einot Yarden, Emek Hahula …

Evaluation Measures

Short Term Long Term

Attitude surveys Achievement surveys

Low dropout rate success in matriculation

examinations

Science affinity High attendance & Success in Higher-

Education

Science Topics• Biology - virtual tools for physiological systems

• Nutrition - principles in nutrition and food technologies

• Chemistry - emphasis on spectrophotometeric methods

• Environmental science - water-treatment technologies

• Mathematics - riddles as a tool for developing thinking

• Computer science – flash animation tools

…and more!

Academic Facilities

The Youth labs, equipped with computers, will allow varied activities

Work-plan includes the use of the academic labs in addition to the youth labs

Most activities will be carried out at

the College Campus (76%)

2009-2010