The Davidson Institute of Science Education is building a communications ecosystem to make high-quality scientific knowledge accessible to all
Every week, tens of thousands of readers across Israel pause their scrolling to engage with a science quiz, Brainwash, posted on Ynet, testing themselves on everything from black holes and the chemistry of chocolate to the biology of sleep and the physics behind everyday technologies. For eight years, the Davidson Institute has been publishing quizzes on its social media channels and Ynet, reaching an extraordinary 23 million users to date and attracting 45,000–50,000 weekly participants.
What began as a simple science engagement experiment has become one of the most recognizable and trusted science features in Israeli digital media, encompassing the full spectrum of scientific inquiry—from astronomy, physics, and biology to medicine, technology, and environmental science—and making high-quality scientific knowledge accessible to a broad and diverse public.
The quizzes are a familiar and anticipated presence in Israeli digital life, recognized by readers and shared widely among friends and family. The connection is so strong that the quizzes have generated moments that extend well beyond science education, including a marriage proposal hidden inside a quiz, turning a scientific challenge into a deeply personal milestone.
CLICK HERE TO TRY A RECENT BRAINWASH QUIZ
The success of the Ynet quizzes reflects a broader communications approach developed by the Davidson Institute, one grounded in public trust, clear and accessible explanations, and everyday relevance.
Across platforms and formats
Davidson’s science communication begins with a simple premise: people are curious, but they need reliable guidance. In a digital environment crowded with partial information, exaggeration, and misinformation, Davidson has established itself as a trusted source that explains not only what is known, but how we know it and where uncertainty remains.
That commitment to trust is especially evident in Davidson’s response to scientific misinformation. When emerging technologies, health concerns, or viral claims generate confusion, Davidson addresses them directly, grounding each explanation in evidence and context. A recent article examined the growing problem of AI chatbots that fabricate or “hallucinate” information, helping readers understand why these errors occur and why blindly trusting automated answers can be risky. Rather than sensationalizing the issue, the article equipped the public with tools for critical thinking, strengthening scientific literacy at a moment of real need.
Clarity is equally central to Davidson’s work. Complex science is not simplified by stripping it of substance but by translating it carefully and responsibly. This approach is reflected in the Institute’s popular “Ask the Expert” content, where real-world questions become entry points into rigorous scientific explanations. An article addressing the safety of gel nail polish, for example, attracted 24,000 reader entries by combining chemistry and health science with language that respected both the topic and the audience’s intelligence.
Science as a shared resource
That same clarity drives Davidson’s success on social media, where short formats demand precision and creativity. In one very popular video, a familiar kitchen habit of placing food in the center of a microwave was challenged through a simple chocolate experiment. The demonstration not only corrected a common misconception but went further, showing how the setup could be used to measure the speed of light. Published in December 2024, the video went viral, reaching nearly 1.5 million views, generating thousands of reactions, and sparking extensive discussion, with 640 comments on Facebook alone and over 2,000 comments across platforms. The response underscored a key insight: when science is explained clearly and creatively, audiences don’t just watch, they engage.
Relevance is the common thread that ties these efforts together. Davidson’s content consistently connects scientific knowledge to questions people are already asking about health, technology, daily habits, and the tools shaping modern life. This relevance extends not only to topics but also to audiences. Through multilingual content, including science videos in Arabic, Davidson ensures that high-quality science communication reaches communities with different linguistic and cultural backgrounds, reinforcing science as a shared public resource.
By pairing rigorous science with clarity, creativity, and cultural awareness, Davidson transforms fleeting attention into lasting understanding and builds a communication ecosystem that reaches millions without sacrificing accuracy or credibility. In a time when scientific authority is often challenged and misinformation is only a click away, the Davidson Institute is not simply communicating science, it is shaping science literacy in society.