Turning Forty

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A special conference was recently held at the Weizmann Institute to celebrate the 40th anniversary of its Science Teaching Department. Among the distinguished guests were former department heads Profs. Uri Ganiel and Abraham Arcavi, Prof. Anna Sfard of the University of Haifa and three scientists who have influenced the shaping of the department from its inception: Prof. Rodger Bybee, USA; Prof. David Waddington, UK; and Prof. Richard Kempa, UK.
 
The conference was opened by Vice President for Resource Development and Dean for Educational Activities Prof. Israel Bar-Joseph, who described the pioneering vision of the late Prof. Amos de-Shalit, which led to the establishment of the Science Teaching Department. Institute President Prof. Daniel Zajfman spoke about curiosity-driven education, while Prof. Haim Harari, Chair of the Davidson Institute of Science, spoke about education for the age of science and technology. A symposium and formal dinner were held in honor of Prof. Avi Hofstein, retiring Head of the Department.
 
On the second day of the conference, attention centered on three generations of former students, who described their individual journeys from the moment of their graduation to the present.

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