Teaching renewable energy and environmentalism to various Israeli populations

Abstract

“Israeli Hope in Academia” is a program, designed by Israeli President, Reuven Rivlin. The program is based on the perception that Israeli society is changing, from having a clear majority and several minorities, to a society comprised of four principal sectors that are roughly similar in size. The program acts to encourage a more diverse and culturally competent higher education system that promotes partnership. Over the past year, students from various faculties in the Holon Institute of Technology (HIT), took part in a course called “Green Ambassadors”, which corresponds with the “Israeli Hope” program. In the course, the students studied environmental issues, and then passed that knowledge on to pupils in the religious elementary school “Yeshurun” in the city of Holon, through enjoyable educational activities. In order to illustrate the environmental topics, and to achieve high participation levels of the pupils, the students created a mobile laboratory containing experiments and demonstrations, in which the pupils took an active part. The final questionnaires, answered by the classes teachers, show high rates of pupil participation, understanding and enjoyment. Thus, the course managed to make a significant impact on the community, and achieve the goals set by the “Israeli Hope” program.