A center for Physics Studies through Research in the Central Galilee aims to increase the number of students choosing advanced level high-school Physics track by 30%
In the rural periphery of Israel, the study of Physics in secondary schools suffers from unique circumstances. Towns and villages are typically small in size, high quality teachers are few and far between, and laboratory equipment is scarce. Under these conditions the emergence of a regional Physics teaching center in the Western Galilee in recent years is an exceptional phenomenon.Established in 2005, the Manor-Cabri Center provides Physics studies for four secondary schools. Teachers are recruited and trained to mentor and supervise their students’ research projects that are complementary to the matriculation exam. Moshe Reich, the founder of the center, believes that when students are engaged in scientific research projects, their intellectual ability increases and their motivation to learn multiplies.
Moshe Reich is currently establishing a second center in the Central Galilee, which will include Jewish and Arab schools from Ma’alot, Sasa, Kisra-Sumei and Ma’alot-Tarshiha. In the coming five years the plan is to engage school principals; to train the teachers; to purchase lab equipment and literature; to forge local learning groups of teachers and students; and to partner with the local authorities to secure long-term funding.
The new center will work with 25 teachers and 400 students, and will harness volunteers who have retired from academia and high-tech. The ultimate goal of the center is to increase the percentage of students taking the advanced high-school tracks in Physics by 30%. In addition it is hoped that by bringing research supervisors from high tech and industry, the center may attract a new pool of talent into teaching.