On 27 June, the Walid and Helen Kattan Science Education Project held a Science Snacks event at Nilin village, in cooperation with the Nilin Teacher Centre.
Science Snacks is part of the informal science programme of the project. It targets children and families in local communities in an attempt to raise scientific literacy and discussions about natural phenomena. The activities of this event included: forensic science, chemistry for fun, history of aviation, DNA extraction, and awareness activities about protecting local wildlife.
Two training workshops for teachers and students were held at Nilin Teacher Centre in preparation for the Science Snacks event. Participants in these workshops learned how to perform and manage the day’s activities.
Dr Nader Wahbeh, Director of the Walid and Helen Kattan Science Education Project, said: “Science Snacks provide a context for discussing children’s various ideas about scientific phenomena. By participating in Science Snacks, children and their parents are encouraged to ask the question: ‘Why did this happen?’ rather than just following experiment procedures. In my opinion, it is from this point that learning really starts.”
Project Researcher Bisan Battrawi said: “An activity like this is very important, as our Palestinian society is always excited about anything that is new, interesting, and at the same time, educational.”
Battrawi added: “What distinguishes Science Snacks from other activities is that they are simple experiments which reveal incredible facts about the world and allow participants to gain knowledge while also having fun.” She went on to say that the informal science programme’s main goal is to bring attention to the connections between science and society, and vice versa. In this regard, Science Snacks is a tool for making science accessible, enjoyable, and educational.
Kattan’s Science Snacks is a programme inspired by the Exploratorium©’s Science Snacks in San Francisco, and are organised by the informal science programme at the Walid and Helen Kattan Science Education Project - Qattan Centre for Research and Educational Development. The Programme aims to raise awareness of science culture within Palestinian society. It also supports science awareness and literacy, and the dissemination of scientific knowledge via extracurricular activities for students, teachers, administrators and education administrators, as well as families and the wider community.