Science Gets a Makeover

In light of research on children’s perceptions of science, Dr. Zahava Scherz of the Weizmann Institute’s Science Teaching Department and Director of Science and Education Communication of the Davidson Institute, and Miri Oren, also of the Davidson Institute, decided to set up a program for high school students. The Investigation into Science and Technology (IST) program allows students to experience “real” science. Students get to meet with and interview scientists about their research, participate in experiments in a real lab and learn how to analyze data and present their findings.

 

The program was initially presented in an international seminar to teachers from North America, who decided to implement it with their own students. In March, a group of high school students from the Solomon Schecter Day School, NJ, USA, visited the Institute to partake in the IST program.

 

“It was astonishing to learn that many high school students are unfamiliar with what scientists do and how their work is carried out” exclaims Scherz. “However, it is encouraging to see that after participation in the IST program, students tend to be more enthusiastic about science, acquiring a more positive and realistic image.”