Advancing science in schools and society
The Weizmann Institute of Science places major emphasis on advancing science education in schools and in the public. This agenda is advanced by the Davidson Institute of Science Education, the educational arm of the Weizmann Institute, leading the way in Israel by cultivating and nourishing a science-literate society. Additionally, the Weizmann Institute and the Davidson Institute train thousands of science and math teachers, run internationally competitive summer science camps and tournaments, and offer a wide array of programming for student and the public including the internationally known Clore Garden of Science.
The Davidson Institute of Science Education
The Davidson Institute was established in 1999 and today operates more than 70 programs for outstanding students, students from underprivileged backgrounds, and underachievers. It also trains teachers, runs online education programs, and holds science literacy events for the public.
Department of Science Teaching
The Department of Science Teaching at the Weizmann Institute was created in 1968 by Prof. Amos De Shalit. Its main mission is to advance the field of science and mathematics education at large, and to advance science and mathematics education in Israel. A central goal of the department is to develop academic and practical leadership in mathematics and science education.
Schwartz/Reisman Science Education Center, Rehovot
Established in 2013, the Schwartz/Reisman Science Education Center, Rehovot is a regional hub for cutting-edge curricular physics education. The Center provides a unique environment for outstanding high school students in Rehovot and Ness Ziona to pursue their interests in science. Located on the state-of-the-art Ruth and Uriel Arnon Science Education Campus, the Center is equipped with cutting-edge classroom laboratories and encourages students to reach their academic potential through unique research opportunities.
International science programs, camps, and competitions
The prestigious Bessie Lawrence International Summer Science Institute
(ISSI) program brings together outstanding high school graduates from all over the world for a month of hands-on learning, research projects in Weizmann Institute labs, and travel across Israel. The Shalhevet Freyer Physics Tournament is a highly competitive safe-cracking competition in which students compete in their home countries; winners attend the finals of the annual event at the Weizmann Institute campus. And Math-by-Mail and Science-by-Mail programs offer online enrichment.
Science for the public
With the knowledge that education, and in particular science education, is an endeavor that relies not only on what happens in the classroom—but in many facets of life—the Weizmann Institute operates on multiple fronts to advance this goal.