A research incubator, photoelectric cells and iPads that allow experiments to be conducted even from home - these are just some of the components of a new open-air science education complex, the Mechamda, which was inaugurated last night at the Naomi Shemer Ort High School in Yavneh Garden
A research incubator, photoelectric cells and iPads that allow experiments to be conducted even from home - these are just some of the components of a new open-air science education complex, the Hamada, which was inaugurated last night at the Ort Middle School named after Naomi Shemer in Yavneh, with an initial investment of half a million shekels, whose planning they were partners in Also the students of the scientific and engineering major at the school. The CEO of the Ort network, Zvi Peleg, announced at the event that the network will grant an additional million shekels to the school to build an auditorium and a library: "We need to break the routine of education and allow the schools to be groundbreaking."
Tamhamada is an experiential learning space that deals with science and technology, where students guide students to discover the laws of nature. Mechameda includes diverse facilities, which emphasize the physical phenomena through personal and group experience and exploratory learning outside of the classroom.
Among other things, a research incubator was established in the complex where the students will investigate various scientific phenomena and perform experiments. The greenhouse, in which several plants and pots were placed, includes a photovoltaic cell that supplies the electricity to the greenhouse facilities, solar fans, temperature sensors, gas sensors and electrodes for measuring the level of acidity in the soil. The data is collected in a dedicated data logger and the students were equipped with iPads so that they could control the experiments and monitor what was happening in the greenhouse from afar.
In addition to the greenhouse, the spacious complex has various facilities that aim to illustrate through experimentation, various scientific principles - distorted mirrors that illustrate optical principles, a huge xylophone that illustrates wavelengths and harmonic sounds, solar cells that allow measurement of the level of electricity produced by the sun at different times of the day, and more.
"The idea of establishing Tamhameda came to my mind when the school was founded and it was like a dream," says the director of the middle school Rina Nitzan. When she shared the principal of the six-year high school Panina Glass, she was harnessed to its realization, in cooperation with Alex Weinberg, coordinator of the physics major, Amos Goaz, coordinator of the scientific-engineering major, and Miriam Alfi, the school's Burnett. With the idea, they came to the Ort Israel network, which allocated close to half a million shekels to realize the dream and turn it from a plan to be executed into an innovative, progressive and active venture.
Dror Aharon, head of the council at the inauguration ceremony of the complex: "The connection with the Ort network continues to prove itself in the promotion of educational initiatives and the provision of first-rate educational facilities in the high schools in Gan Yavne. Thank you for that. "
CEO of Ort Israel Network Zvi Peleg: "The entire project is experiential and what makes it unique is that students educate students and enable them to experience many physical phenomena individually and as a group, and this will bring additional innovation to the students of the entire Authority. Big congratulations and thanks to the school team that initiated, developed, established and manages the complex. Special thanks to the head of the authority, Mr. Dror Aharon, and the members of the council for the cooperation for many years."
Panina Glass, school director: "We cultivate the strengths of students and the educational staff. In the establishment and operation of Tamchadah, the strengths of the teachers and the laboratory assistant are reflected in the planning and design of the facilities, in the guidance of the students who guide the sessions and in the placement of the activity in it in the work plan in the sciences."
The school also stated that the "Machamade" is not only intended for the guidance of the school's students, but will also serve as a community study center, and there will be activities for elementary school students and even kindergarten children.
