The National Earth Sciences Program
Planet Earth is facing growing environmental challenges and something must be done. Perhaps you can help? All you need to come to the rescue is internet access.
It is no secret that Planet Earth has been undergoing dramatic and alarming changes over the last few decades. The frequency of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis is increasing and the rate in which the icebergs are melting is very troubling. But why is all of this happening? When did it begin? And most importantly, how will it affect our future?
These are only a few of the issues the Earth Sciences class tries to tackle, alongside geology, oceanography, mass extinctions, evolution, finding water on Mars, meteorites, and much more. Participants use an e-learning platform both at their own pace and as part of live sessions attended by all members of the program.
In addition to the online lessons, the National Earth Sciences Program includes educational tours and a group field study, through which participants will get to know the environment they are learning about, as well as enjoy visits to mountains, lakes, deserts, and the beach.
Audience:
Outstanding 10th and 11th-graders who are interested in Earth Sciences and in a course that gives them a 5-point matriculation discipline.
Please note: Admission is contingent on coordination with the school and the program's team at the Davidson Institute. Admission does not exempt students from 10th-grade introductory science studies.
Time:
A preliminary seminar will be held in September 2020. Registration for the program and the seminar is available through the end of September 2019.
Please note: The program runs concurrently to the school year. Online sessions are held after school, while field trips take place every few weeks, at the expense of a school day.
Place:
The preliminary seminar will be held at the Davidson Institute of Science Education at the Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot. Online classes can take place wherever internet access is available. Field trips take place nationwide.
Price:
Preliminary seminar – 450 NIS ; first-year tuition (10th or 11th grade) – 2,500 NIS; second-year tuition (11th or 12th grade) – 2,500 NIS. With the exception of the preliminary seminar, scholarships are available on a personal-economic basis.
Cost for local authorities/schools: 1,500 NIS a year per student.
How:
To apply, simply fill out the form on the bottom of the page. Suitable applicants will be invited for an interview.
More about the program
First-year curriculum: During the first semester, students go on educational field trips every three weeks or so. During the second semester, students attend biweekly online lessons.
Second-year curriculum: During this year of research, students will visit laboratories where they will join researchers and graduate students working on their research and tackling environmental questions.
The matriculation grade will be composed as follows: One theoretical unit, one practical outdoors unit, one unit consisting a portfolio review, one unit of field and laboratory work (group grade), and one unit for a presentation of a personal research project.
For more information, visit the Hebrew site.
