The world's first science hotel was inaugurated today in Jerusalem

The hotel is part of an extensive project to raise the level of scientific education in Israel * Professor Farnes initiated the project: the academy must take responsibility and an active part in promoting scientific education for every child in Israel

Avi Blizovsky

The world's first science hotel was inaugurated today at the Givat Ram campus of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. The hotel is part of an extensive project whose goal is to raise the level of scientific education in Israel.

The Science Hotel, Beit Barter for Science, was inaugurated in the presence of the Minister of Jerusalem Affairs Natan Sharansky, the President of the Hebrew University Professor Menachem Magidor and the President of the Jerusalem Foundation Mrs. Ruth Cheshin. The hotel is located on the Givat Ram campus of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, near the youth laboratories named after Belmonte.

The Science Hotel is part of a very extensive project designed to raise the level of scientific education in Israel and includes science laboratories equipped with the most advanced scientific equipment. The laboratories receive thousands of middle and high school students from schools in the Jerusalem area and other parts of the country for high-level studies in the various fields of science. The laboratories provide scientific guidance and teaching in the fields of life sciences, physics, chemistry, biotechnology, electro-optics and environmental quality. Each field is headed by a researcher with a doctorate degree.

Prof. Yitzhak Ferns, who initiated the establishment and operation of the science laboratories and the science hotel, said at the ceremony that the academy must take responsibility and an active part in promoting scientific education in Israel. "Beyond pure research, we must do as much as we can to promote the subject of scientific education in an egalitarian manner. This is the relative advantage of the State of Israel and we must continue to develop it."

Prof. Frans called on the ministers of education and science to implement the current government's decision to establish fifteen more science centers for youth in this model all over the country.

Barter House of Science was established to allow students from all over the country to enjoy science teaching at the highest level. The place includes living rooms that can accommodate 72 students and teachers at the same time, a computer room, a sophisticated kitchen and a recreation area.

The place will run the "Science and Jerusalem" program in which groups of students will be hosted there for five days. In the morning they will learn science at the Belmonte laboratories and later in the day they will tour the various Jerusalem sites such as the Kiryat Shvarel, the Botanical Garden, the Supreme Court, the Biblical Zoo and more.

Prof. Frans' project is unique of its kind in the world as the model for science education is already copied in several cities in the world including Heidelberg, Marseille and Mexico City. To date, eighty ministers of science and education from all over the world have visited the youth science center.

The Science Hotel was established through the donation of the late Mr. Barter, through the Jerusalem Foundation.

Attached photos:
Prof. Yitzhak Ferns at the ceremony of inaugurating the "Science Hotel" called Beit Barter for Science, Beit Barter for Science, a chemistry class at the Belmonte youth laboratories of the Mushofat girls' class