Abstract

Only a small percent of the general population encounters ideas generated at research universities. At the Hebrew University’s science campus in Jerusalem, the Nature Park & Galleries (NPG), the unique “open-campus museum,” presents science to the public. NPG uses the entire campus, indoors and out, for communicating its messages, via signage, brochures, guide books, smart phone audio-guides, and student guides. In one of NPG’s programs, high school groups spend most of a day visiting two forefront biology research labs. They are guided by a graduate student in each of these labs. The high school students prepare for the visit by studying an in-class program of several lessons created by NPG staff in coordination with, and taught by, the school teachers. Following the lab visits, a similarly created and delivered in-class program crystallizes the learning experience. Our evaluation of the effects of this program show significant improvements in attitudes toward science and in understanding of the nature of science.