1. The Academic Center for Youth Science Education

2. The Academic Youth Center Tel Hai College

3. Definition of the Regional Problem The gaps between the center of Israel and its peripheral regions are widening, due to inequality in opportunities Although science and technology studies are viewed as essential to Israel's security and economy, only a small percentage of high school students in the Galilee regions choose these fields

4. Name of School Number of 12 th Grade Students Number of Biology Students Number of Chemistry Students Number of Physics Students Number of Environmental Science Students Number of Computers Science Students Number of Technology Students Har Vagai Kibbutz Dafna 162 22 (14%)5 (3%)12 (7%)- - Electronics (6%)9 Einot Yarden Kibbutz Amir 626 (10%) ---- Danziger Kiryat Shemona 21028 (13%)9 (4%)12 (6%)--Biotechnology 15 (7%) Amit Safed8728 (32%)---3 (3%)- Hamatmid Kiryat Shemona 4610 (21%)----- Emek Hahula Kibbutz Kfar Blum 17811 (6%)-13 (7%)--Mechatronics 15 (8%) Amit Hazor3511 (31%)----- Nofe Golan Kazerin 14626 (18%)17 (12%)16 (11%)7 (5%)-12 (8%) Ana Frank Sasa317 (23%)3 (10%)5 (16%)--- Total95715%4%6%0.8%0.5%5%

5. Main Educational Goals Raising the numbers of high schools students who choose to major in science and technology (10 th grade) Fostering perseverance in science studies (11 th & 12 th grades) Raising the numbers of students who conduct science project as part of their matriculation examination

6. 7 th -9 th Grades Fostering attraction to science domains developing science skills 10 th -12 th Grades Science enrichment program Academic/professional horizon Academic preparedness program Accessibility to higher education Process-Oriented Model

7. Action Principles Active, fun, interesting learning environment Hands-on laboratory experiences Authentic scientific inquiry Led by Tel Hai’s faculty members, researchers and experts in science education Activities that are not available at local schools

8. Participants 2009-10 academic year: about 750 students Within two years the number will reach approximately 1,200 students Participating schools: Danzinger Kiryat Shmona, HaMatmid Kiryat Shmona, Ort Hatzor, Amal Safed, Ulpanit Safed, Tuba Zangeria, Amit Hazor, Har Vagai, Einot Yarden, Emek Hahula …

9. Evaluation Measures Short Term Long Term Attitude surveys Achievement surveys Low dropout rate success in matriculation examinations Science affinity High attendance & Success in Higher- Education

10. Science Topics Biology - virtual tools for physiological systems Nutrition - principles in nutrition and food technologies Chemistry - emphasis on spectrophotometeric methods Environmental science - water-treatment technologies Mathematics - riddles as a tool for developing thinking Computer science – flash animation tools …and more!

11. Academic Facilities The Youth labs, equipped with computers, will allow varied activities Work-plan includes the use of the academic labs in addition to the youth labs Most activities will be carried out at the College Campus (76%) 2009-2010