Israel is one of the world’s science powerhouses. With ten Nobel Prize winners, more than 4,000 technology startups, and high-tech companies reportedly comprising 45% of Israel’s exports, Israel is undoubtedly a technology hub. Despite statistical data identifying the country’s technological superiority, Israel is faced with the threat of its scientists and startup mavens seeking educational and professional opportunities abroad. Brain drain is an issue faced by many countries, but may have unparalleled consequences for Israel, a country roughly the size of New Jersey, whose economy is heavily influenced by the science and technology sector. Although all of Israel’s scientists and start-up gurus are not simultaneously boarding departing El Al flights, the potential effects of an increasing brain drain is a cause of concern for the Israeli Government. Consequently, a multitude of programs aimed at expanding the country’s technology and science sector, retaining homegrown science professionals, and enticing foreigners to invest in professional growth opportunities in the land of milk and honey are a priority for Israel.
Among many government-sponsored programs, Israel’s Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS) of the Ministry of Industry and Trade supports research and development through public and private incubators that assist entrepreneurs in turning ideas into exportable products. Israel’s twenty-four incubators currently assist approximately 200 projects throughout the country spanning a multitude of areas: software, biotechnology, medical devices, electronics, agriculture, and the environment. In addition to providing financial and legal advice, the incubator program assists in developing and building the new businesses.
While government-funded programs to assist new companies and their respective projects are crucial to sustaining and growing science and technology enterprise, it is equally important to promote an interest in and passion for science among youth. Located in the northern city of Haifa, the Israel National Museum of Science, Technology, and Space (MadaTech) was established in 1983, and is now one of Israel’s three largest museums. Housed in two buildings, the museum includes an interactive Exhibition Building, with more than 600 exhibits, and Institute for Education in Science & Technology Building.
MadaTech
Source: Israel National Museum of Science
Among its many interactive exhibits is “The Secrets of Life,” where visitors learn about DNA by walking through a large model of a human cell (magnified by 1 million).
“The Secrets of Life” Exhibit
Source: Israel National Museum of Science
MadaTech makes a trip to the dentist educational as well as fun with its exhibit “Smile! It’s Science.” Visitors explore the history of dentistry in a life-sized dental clinic model, learning about the shape and composition of the human mouth and teeth.
“Smile! It’s Science” Exhibit
Source: Israel National Museum of Science
MadaTech attracts approximately 500,000 visitors from around the world each year, and, although its exhibits are entertaining, the museum’s educational programs serve the additional purpose of inspiring youth to pursue education and careers in science fields. Among its programs geared to strengthen students’ interest in science, MadaTech’s annual science competition fosters creative and analytical thinking among Israel’s eighth and ninth-grade students. Thousands take part in the yearlong OlympiYeda Competition that culminates in a two-week science camp in Haifa, Israel. The summer camp includes an enriched science curriculum with guest lecturers, visits to technological facilities, and scientific activities.
The 2010 OlympiYeda Competition focused on robotics
Source: Google Images
Interactive exhibits and the OlympiYeda Competition are some of the museum’s unique approaches to engaging Israeli youth and making science fun. Although providing youth with an outlet for science enrichment is critical to Israel’s fight against the brain drain, the museum’s efforts serve a greater purpose of unifying Israel’s citizens. While Israel has made headlines regarding its immigrant and refugee population, organizations like MadaTech are at the forefront to bridge the educational gap with its efforts to educate youth from diverse backgrounds. Its programs educate students in science fields, inspire students to pursue science professions, and strengthen students’ ties to Israel. MadaTech’s 7 learning centers and 25 laboratories cater to the museum’s science education programs.
According to Dr. Ronen Mir, MadaTech’s General Director, approximately 40% of the museums visitors are Arab, and 40% of instructors at MadaTech are also Arab. Operation North for Arabic Speakers provides advanced science learning opportunities for Israeli-Arab junior high students. Led by prominent Israeli-Arab researchers, the program educates students on basic tenets of bio-medicine, genetics, nanotechnology, and astrophysics.
Dr. Ronen Mir, MadaTech General Director
Source: American Friends of the Israel National Museum of Science
Another of MadaTech’s programs geared toward educating Israel’s minorities is Tapping Solomon’s Mind is MadaTech’s, a program for third to sixth-grade Ethiopian students. Students are exposed to a myriad of science topics including, aviation and the human body.
Students participate in MadaTech’s “Tapping Solomon’s Mind” Program
Source: American Friends of the Israel National Museum of Science
The museum’s programs are designed to instill a love of science in participants from a variety of backgrounds, foster coexistence among Israel’s population, and promote the pursuit of science education and professions. MadaTech collaborates with organizations that offer students scholarship to pursue science education after high school, and the museum reports that its programs’ alumni, especially minority alumni, have a high enrollment in technological programs at the university level. While enrolled in college science and technology programs, MadaTech’s alumni have the opportunity to serve as lecturers in the museum’s programs. This provides alumni the unique opportunity to share their passions with Israel’s youth while gaining valuable teaching experience.
Madatech is at the forefront of innovation for science education in Israel. Its exhibits and programs provide people of all ages and backgrounds with invaluable opportunities to learn and develop a passion for science and technology. While MadaTech’s initiatives are not specifically aimed at countering Israel’s brain drain, its efforts to promote interest in science education are undoubtedly instrumental in fostering a love of science and technology among Israel’s youth, thereby cultivating Israel’s future science professionals.
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