An astronomical experience at the Clore Garden of Science
Curiosity set the tone for an astronomy experience two evenings in May at the Clore Garden of Science, when the Davidson Institute of Science Education hosted 1,000 students from across Israel for an immersive program focused on space, observation, and scientific inquiry.
Students arrived with questions about planets, stars, and the vastness beyond Earth and left with new tools for exploring them. Over the course of two evenings, participants engaged in hands-on experiments, guided telescope observations, and interactive workshops that transformed astronomy from an abstract subject into an active process of inquiry. The program emphasized how scientists think: asking precise questions, testing ideas, and drawing meaning from data.
For many students, this experience marked their first opportunity to work with professional scientific equipment and to explore the night sky through research-grade telescopes. Encountering astronomy in a structured, inquiry-driven environment allowed students to connect theory with direct observation, deepening their understanding and their sense of wonder.
The learning environment encouraged collaboration and exchange. As the program progressed, Arab and Jewish students worked together in groups, sharing observations, debating interpretations, and experiencing moments of discovery. Instruction was led by Arab and Jewish educators participating in the Shavit program, modeling scientific cooperation and professional dialogue alongside rigorous content.
This astronomy experience is part of a broader enrichment continuum for participating students, including national competitions and advanced science initiatives. Together, these opportunities reflect the Davidson Institute’s long-term educational approach: integrating inquiry-based learning, creativity, and engineering across disciplines while expanding access to high-quality science education.
Shavit: A national framework to support teachers
The astronomy evenings were implemented as part of Shavit, a national program strengthening science education through sustained investment in teachers. Throughout the academic year, Shavit supports Arab and Jewish science teachers across Israel with professional development, curricular resources, and pedagogical guidance, enabling them to teach complex scientific topics with confidence.
Another element of the program is Shavit’s annual teachers’ conference, held at the Davidson Institute and attended by dozens of educators. The conference features expert-led lectures, practical workshops, and opportunities for professional exchange, allowing teachers to deepen their subject knowledge while sharing classroom practices and challenges.
By focusing on teachers as catalysts for change, Shavit ensures that the impact of intensive programs, such as the astronomy evening experience, extends well beyond a single event. Teachers return to their schools equipped with updated scientific knowledge and inquiry-based methodologies that continue to shape student learning long after the telescopes are packed away.
Sustained educational impact
Through its integrated work with students and educators, Shavit contributes to a cohesive and inclusive national framework for science education. Events like the astronomy experience at the Clore Garden demonstrate how targeted, high-quality interventions, combined with ongoing teacher support can strengthen scientific literacy, sustain student engagement, and build long-term instructional capacity across diverse educational settings.
By creating spaces where students and teachers from different communities engage in shared scientific exploration, Shavit reinforces science as a collaborative endeavor—one driven by curiosity, grounded in evidence, and oriented toward discovery.
The Shavit program is supported by The Isidore and Penny Myers Foundation.