Science

Teaching Science and Technology in grades 1-2

Lecturer: Dr. Ahmed Bakr Diab, Dr. Seham Hamzah

Course type: Lecture, 2 weekly- hrs., Semester

Scientific-technological education constitutes an infrastructure for development and success, both on the personal level – in the acquisition of knowledge and of thinking and practical skills that enable self-study, exploration and creativity; and on the national and social level – as a basis for the development of political and social resilience that will be reflected in diverse fields such as security, industry, health, communications and environmental quality. Cultivating scientific-technological education and seeing it as a central part of every boy and girls’ cultural education is a seed that will bear fruit in the future, in the form of active citizens who are involved in decision-making processes and contribute to society’s functioning and growth. The purpose of the course is to expose students to the science and technology curriculum for elementary schools, to provide them with knowledge and tools for developing lesson plans in the field of science and technology, and to familiarize them with the science and technology website for elementary schools. The course will include lectures, group and lab work, and online teaching.

Final grade components: assignments and exercises 40%, final paper 60%. Attendance is required in 80% of all the lectures.

Light and Waves

Lecturer: Dr. Mohammed Seh

Course type: Lecture + exercise and Laboratory work, 2 weekly- hrs., Semester

The course deals with light and the phenomena related to it, and explanations of natural phenomena related to light. In addition, it touches on the subject of mechanical waves and electromagnetic waves, a comparison between them and their uses in the field of biology, medicine and optics.

Final grade components: final paper 30%, final exam 70%. Mandatory attendance.

Electricity and Magnetism

Lecturer: Dr. Mohammed Seh

Course type: Lecture and laboratory work, 2 weekly- hrs., Semester

The course deals with the basic laws in the field of electricity and magnetism, which can be used to explain and understand various physical phenomena.

Final grade components: final paper 30%, final exam 70%. Mandatory attendance.

Mechanics and Heat

Lecturer: Dr. Mohammed Seh

Course type: Lecture and laboratory work, 2 weekly- hrs., Semester

The course deals with the subject of mechanics and physical laws that explain various phenomena in the environment and in nature. Its goals, among others, are to expose students to the principles and natural phenomena related to mechanics and heat; provide them with knowledge and understanding of topics related to mechanics and heat; and introduce them to physical concepts in the field. 

Final grade components: final paper 30%, final exam 70%. Mandatory attendance. 

The History of Science

Lecturer: Dr. Mohammed Seh

Course type: Lecture, 2 weekly- hrs., Semester

The course presents the development of science and scientists in different periods, including: ancient times, mathematics and science in Egypt, Babylonian mathematics, the beginning of deductive mathematics in Greece, the reasons for the emergence of mathematics and its special nature, Greek science, mathematics in China and India, Arabic mathematics, the Middle Ages in Europe, the Renaissance , the New Science, science in the 17th century and its influence on modern science, and Einstein – the Twin paradox and the relativity of time.

Final grade components: final paper 100%.

Basic Concepts in Chemistry

Lecturer: Dr. Ahmed Issa Asadi 

Course type: Lecture, 2 weekly- hrs., Semester

The purpose of the course is to introduce students to basic concepts in chemistry and to provide them with tools for understanding the background to the properties of matter and chemical processes, including: the relationship between the structure of the molecular material and its properties; the connection between the science of chemistry and everyday life phenomena; the particle structure of the material – atoms and molecules; law of conservation of mass; the states of aggregation of matter; solutions; Periodic table; Lewis structure; the Mole; Redox oxidation, electrolysis and balancing equations; acids and bases, definitions, titrations and indicators, natural phenomena and daily use; Atomic structure; stoichiometric calculations, gas laws, concentrations and dilutions; and the chemical equation and the law of conservation of matter. The course is also designed to develop skills related to research and to multidisciplinary, quantitative and research-oriented thinking, to integrate technological and social aspects in teaching, and to familiarize students with the language of chemists: chemical symbols, formulas, and formulation of chemical reactions.

Final grade components: active participation in class 10%, exercises 15%, final exam 75%.

Inventors and Discoverers in Science

Lecturer: Dr. Ahmed Issa Asadi 

Course type: Lecture, 2 weekly- hrs., Semester

The purpose of the course is to develop scientific literacy through learning and discussing the connection between social readiness and openness to innovations and the contribution of discoverers and inventors to the development of scientific thinking. It is designed to provide future teachers with the necessary tools for teaching key topics in the history and philosophy of science, as required by the current syllabus of the science and technology discipline. The course will deal, among other things, with the different ways in which scientific developments occur; and in the connection between society’s readiness to absorb innovative ideas and the acceptance of a new discovery or invention, which will be examined through an analysis of the absorption or rejection of inventions, discoveries and revolutionary ideas in science. The course also offers an overview of a variety of historical inventors and discoverers: the Muslim era, Archimedes, Galileo, Fermat, Torricelli, Newton, Leibniz, Bernoulli, Thomas Young, Michael Faraday, Maxwell, Marie and Pierre Curie, Poincaré, Einstein, Enrico Fermi, Richard Feynman, Hermit Mendel, Lavoisier, Louis Pasteur, Charles Darwin, Thomas Alva Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, Sigmund Freud, Francis Crick and James Watson, and more.

Final grade components: participation and contribution to class discussion, reading the required materials and preparing them for class discussion 10%, home and class assignments 30%, final paper 60%.

Earth Science

Lecturer: Dr. Ahmed Issa Asadi 

Course type: Lecture + exercise, 2 weekly- hrs., Semester

The purpose of the course is to expose students to the phenomena and processes that occur on Earth’s surface and within it, and their effect on the natural environment and man, including: the solar system and the properties of the stars; Earth’s structure, composition and properties; Earth materials – rocks, soil and water; geological time; geological phenomena and processes – continental drift, folding, breaking, volcanoes and earthquakes; Earth’s resources – natural treasures and energy sources; Earth’s atmosphere – composition and properties; The solar system – the sun, the moon, the seasons, tides, lunar and solar years; the greenhouse effect, solar and lunar eclipses; waves and currents, seas and oceans; and climate, weather and precipitation.

The course is also designed to provide students with knowledge and understanding of geological concepts, along with tools for performing basic calculations in the field of geology, astrophysics and the geography of the earth.

Final grade components: active participation in lectures and field trips 10%, exercises 20%, final exam 70%.

Magic in Science 

Lecturer: Dr. Ahmed Issa Asadi 

Course type: Lecture and laboratory work, 2 weekly-hrs., Semester

The course is designed to provide future teachers with suggestions and ideas for fun and educational science activities in the classroom, as well as tools for their implementation. Its purpose is to transfer knowledge on various scientific topics in an experiential, fascinating and fun way, in order to make the world of science accessible and intriguing for everyone. Emphasis is placed on the development of the teachers’ thinking and scientific literacy, as well as on ways to involve their students in this way of thinking.

It deals extensively with the development of scientific thinking skills and a deep internalization of the principles of scientific research; a systematic study of scientific topics – both at the teacher’s level and in the didactic aspect; developing skills for planning and performing an experiment; developing scientific literacy while discussing and studying the connection between scientific principles and the different modes in which they are expressed in everyday life; and the illustration of scientific and technological issues related to everyday life.

Final grade components: presentation of experiments and scientific explanation 30%, final exam 70%.

Structure of Matter 

Lecturer: Dr. Ahmed Issa Asadi 

Course type: Lecture + exercise, 2 weekly-hrs., Semester

The purpose of the course is to provide the students with basic concepts in the structure of the material, while strengthening their scientific research skills, including: the planning, execution, summarizing, drawing conclusions and reporting the results of a scientific experiment; developing reading skills, analyzing and summarizing articles; and exposure to diverse teaching approaches that will allow students to better deal with the subject of innovation in science. It is designed to create a deeper understanding of the relationship between the physical and chemical properties of matter and its essence. The course include the following topics: functional groups and their effect on the properties of materials; Isomers and Isomerizations; natural and synthetic macromolecules; chemical change versus physical change; elements, compounds and mixtures (solutions); the particle model of matter; atoms ions and molecules; The law of constant proportions and molecular assembly; isotopes and different types and radiation; the chemical bond, molecular, ionic, metallic, and atomic substances; alloy and percentage calculations; conductivity/solubility; functional groups and their effect on properties of molecular materials; isomers and isomer engineering; formula abbreviations including nature materials; and familiarity with the nano/macro worlds, including polymers, proteins, sugars and lipids.

Final grade components: active participation in class 10%, exercises 15%, final exam 75%.

The Cell – Structure and Activity

Lecturer: Dr. Shalaata Abed 

Course type: Lecture + exercise and laboratory work, 2 weekly-hrs., Semester

The purpose of the course is to expose students to terms in the field of cytology (cell theory) in a thorough manner, with an emphasis on the connection between the cell structure and its function. It is designed to allow students an in-depth introduction and understanding of the cell structure, the cell organelles, the various materials that make up the cell and essential metabolic processes that occur within it, cell division – all types and stages, the passage of substance across the cell membrane, and the hereditary structure, including nucleic acids and protein synthesis.

Final grade components: exercises and assignments 20%, final exam 80%. Active classroom participation required.

Teaching Science Through Inquiry 

Lecturer: Dr. Shalaata Abed 

Course type: Lecture + exercise, workshop and laboratory work, 2 weekly-hrs., Semester

The purpose of the course is to provide basic knowledge about scientific research, to develop their ability for scientific thinking, and to teach them the process of scientific research for pupils.

Students will learn basic concepts related to scientific research, develop tools for research work, understand the meaning of research work for preschoolers, acquire laboratory work skills, develop scientific writing skills and learn to integrate innovative computer technologies into science teaching.

Final grade components: project journal 15%, final paper 50%, lecturer evaluation of the final paper presentation 20%, scientific poster 15%.

Practical experience in teaching science and technology in elementary school 

Lecturer: Dr. Shalaata Abed 

Course type: Lecture, workshop and אימוני הוראה, observation and practical experience in teaching, 8 weekly-hrs., Annual 

The course is aimed at optimal training of students training to become science and technology teachers in elementary school in grades 1 through 6. Special emphasis is placed on the innovative teaching-learning-assessment and future-oriented pedagogy, built on the pedagogical principles on which the adapted and updated science and technology curriculum for elementary school is based in its applied context.

Final grade components: Evaluation by the pedagogical guide 30%, evaluation by the training-teacher 15%, a science project planned and implemented at the school 10%, a unique activity performed by the student during the practical-experience year 10%, 5 teaching plans 20%, 5 observation reports 15%.

Zoology

Lecturer: Dr. Shalaata Abed 

Course type: Lecture + exercise, and laboratory work, 2 weekly-hrs., Semester

The course is designed to expose students to basic concepts in the world of invertebrates and vertebrates, to animal sorting methods, what all animals have in common and how they differ, and to their lifestyle. It will cover, among other things, sorting and systematics, respiration, nutrition, secretion and more, and will offer a systematic comparison between all living things, invertebrates and vertebrates, unicellular and multicellular.

Final grade components: classroom presentation 20%, final exam 80%.

Science in Everyday Life 

Lecturer: Dr. Shalaata Abed 

Course type: Lecture + exercise, and laboratory work, 2 weekly-hrs., Semester

The purpose of the course is to expose students to basic facts, terms, concepts and phenomena in the fields of biology, chemistry and environmental sciences, while emphasizing the connection between structure and function. The course will include the planning and execution of experiments in various disciplines in the laboratory, in the field and in the immediate environment, and will enable the development of research skills; critical and creative thinking; the ability to process data and draw conclusions; the ability to face problems in the various fields of science; understanding the involvement of chemistry; biology and physics in experiments; and familiarity with different types of information sources and their use for preparing a scientific report.

Final grade components: submission of 10 reports 30%, final exam 70%.

Science Seminar (Science and Technology – Biotechnology)

Lecturer: Dr. Shalaata Abed 

Course type: Seminar, 2 weekly-hrs., Annual

The seminar is designed to provide students with extensive knowledge, tools for reading and analyzing scientific articles and an introduction to scientific journals. It involves the preparation and writing of a research proposal for a term paper on science or science education, or research in science or science education. The purpose of the seminar is to perfect the ability to collect and process scientific material into a scientific lecture and a concluding seminar paper, to develop skills in writing a research proposal and in scientific writing, and to expose the students to the latest, most innovative writing in the field.

Final grade components: preparation and presentation of a research proposal for the seminar topic (20%), final seminar paper (80%).

Plant Physiology

Lecturer: Dr. Shalaata Abed 

Course type: Lecture + exercise, and laboratory work, 2 weekly-hrs., Semester

The course is designed to provide students with extensive knowledge of various processes that occur in plants and familiarize them with basic concepts related to the anatomical structure and physiological function of plants. The course will cover, among other things, water balance, water transport and embeddings, minerals, transpiration and mechanisms of action, photosynthesis and respiration, morphogenesis in plants, external and internal factors, plant hormones and mechanisms of action, hormone-like substances, photoperiod and flowering, vernalization, adaptation strategies and mechanisms and their acclimatization to the environment, cellular and whole animal mechanisms and more. It will include the planning and execution of scientific experiments, and lab work on various topics in plant physiology.

Final grade components: analysis of a current article 30%, final exam 70%.

Flora and Fauna in its Season

Lecturer: Dr. Shalaata Abed 

Course type: Lecture, 2 weekly-hrs., Semester

The purpose of the course is to provide students with extensive knowledge in the field, and in the various processes that occur in plants and animals, to introduce them to living things  in the immediate environment, to develop their ability to transform the immediate environment into a research environment, and to nurture their sense of responsibility and appropriate behavior with regards to preserving plants and animals, and awareness of man’s place in the world of living things and his effect on the environment. It will expose them to different types of information sources and diverse scientific approaches to analyzing and reading a scientific article.

The course will cover, among other things, wild plants in the immediate environment and their protection; the effect of the use of plants on daily life and the quality of life; uses of plant parts for social purposes; plant life cycle and its effect on food availability and utilization; how living creatures manage natural phenomena and adapt their activity and behavior to the seasons; and living creatures’ methods of adaptation and acclimatization to their environment. The course will touch on the issues of seeds; germination; plant structure; means of water transportation in plants; photosynthesis; transpiration; the fertilization process; hormones; natural worms; Arthropods; breathing in water and air and more.

 Final grade components: submission of 3 assignments 20%, final exam 80%.

Communication in the Animal Kingdom

Lecturer: Dr. Shalaata Abed 

Course type: Lecture, 2 weekly-hrs., Semester 

The purpose of the course is to provide students with knowledge in the field of biological communication between living things, and to introduce them to types of communication and senses in the animal kingdom, including signals, intra- and inter-species communication, cellular and intercellular communication, intracorporeal communication, and regulation, coordination and control systems in living things.

It will deal with communication between insects, mimicry, camouflage and plant communication, including plant hormones. Among other things, the course will discuss human intervention and the ethical and social importance of his/her involvement in regulation and coordination systems in nature.

Final grade components: assignments 20%, final exam 80%.

The Human body, Health and Quality of Life 

Lecturer:  Mr. Mohammed Abdel Rahman

Course type: Lecture, 2 weekly-hrs., Annual

The course explores the structures, systems, principles and basic processes in the human body. It will expand student’s vocabulary regarding humans and their bodies; present tools and ideas for increasing children’s awareness and improving their behavior in order to promote their health and quality of life; and teach the environmental and congenital factors that influence a healthy lifestyle, quality of life and behavior during illness. Special emphasis will be placed on developing awareness of a sensible diet and types of food, as well as the importance of the jaw and teeth system and maintaining their health, in order to encourage and foster among boys and girls correct behavior for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Final grade components: participation and assignments 20%, final exam 80%.

The Human body, Health and Quality of Life 

Lecturer: Dr. Janett Bashara Shiban 

Course type: Lecture, 2 weekly-hrs., Annual

The purpose of the course is to provide students with tools to increase children’s awareness of their behavior, to promote their health and quality of life. The course will discuss the environmental and congenital factors that affect a healthy lifestyle, quality of life and behavior during illness; structures and systems in the human body, principles and basic processes, including vocabulary related to the structure and functions of the human body; the basic structure of the different body systems; developing awareness of food and sensible nutrition; developing awareness of the importance of teeth and their health; and nurturing, among boys and girls, behaviors for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and a good quality of life.

Final grade components: submission of 3 assignments 30%, final exam 70%. Active classroom participation is required.

Introduction to Technology

Lecturer: Dr. Janett Bashara Shiban 

Course type: Lecture, 2 weekly-hrs., Semester 

Technology is a central and inseparable part of human culture and due to its necessity for the survival of the human race, actually preceded science. The course is about the close connection between science and technology. It will expose students not only to scientific concepts and technological products important in our lives, but also to scientific experiments and demonstrations that will arouse their students’ curiosity and a desire to ask questions from a logical, scientific and creative way of thinking.

Final grade components: Final grade components: final paper 100%. Attendance and active participation are required.

Fundamental Concepts in Science

Lecturer: Dr. Janett Bashara Shiban 

Course type: Lecture, 2 weekly-hrs., Semester 

The course is designed to provide students with basic skills and concepts in the field of life and natural sciences, and its purpose is to increase their awareness and understanding in the field.

Final grade components: Final grade components: assignments 10%, final exam 90%. Attendance and active participation are required.

Misconceptions and Acquisition of Scientific Concepts by Children

Lecturer: Dr. Manal Khazan 

Course type: Lecture and workshop, 2 weekly-hrs., Semester

The purpose of the course is to introduce students to a professional conceptual language on the subject of (alternative) misconceptions in the field of science and technology, to expose them to common alternative concepts and enable them to understand the way in which they are created. Among other things, the course is aimed at developing awareness and sensitivity towards alternative concepts among pupils, as well as understanding their consequences and perfecting the ability to reveal them. It exposes students to teaching models aimed at perceptual change and includes conducting a small research.

Final grade components: exercises and assignments 30%, research paper 70%.

Selected Issues in Science Teaching

Lecturer: Dr. Manal Khazan 

Course type: Lecture + exercise, and workshop, 2 weekly-hrs., Semester

The purpose of the course is to expose students to different teaching/learning models while addressing different teaching issues. Students will be introduced to different aspects of exploratory and independent learning and will experience combining different models and means of illustration in science teaching. They will be exposed to the benefits and contribution of out-of-class learning in science teaching; experience learning/teaching through problem solving and event research; teaching/learning that combines lab work experience; the development of a study unit; and acquire academic tools for conducting a literature review in the field of science teaching.

Final grade components: submission of 2 assignments 20%, article analysis 10%, final paper 70%.

Philosophy of Science

Lecturer: Dr. Manal Khazan 

Course type: Lecture and workshop, 2 weekly-hrs., Semester

The course provides students with fundamental concepts in the philosophy of science, based on the historical development of scientific thought and an examination of a scientific hypothesis (accompanied by a discussion of historical examples).

Final grade components: exam 100%.

Ecology and Environmental Quality

Lecturer: Dr. Hossein Tarabei

Course type: Lecture + exercise, 2 weekly-hrs., Annual

The purpose of the course is to expose students to the topic of ecology and environmental quality. The course will deal with the definition of ecology, the goals of ecological research, as well as a variety of topics such as ecosystems, their balance and imbalance; energy and food in ecosystems; interactions between biotic factors; succession; environmental quality – human intervention in nature, environmental effects in the field of water, air and waste resources, the environmental crisis and global warming; sustainability and ecosystem services; the ecological footprint; and the citizen and community’s role in creating change, involvement, active citizenship and activism. Theoretical material is accompanied by analysis of case studies taking place within our living space, and issues relating to the essence of our daily lives.

Final grade components: terms quiz 30%, assignments 50%, attendance and participation 20%.  

The Human body, Health and Quality of Life 

Lecturer: Dr. Sharif Ghanem 

Course type: Lecture, 2 weekly-hrs., Annual

The purpose of the course is to provide students with tools to increase children’s awareness of their behavior, to promote their health and quality of life. The course will discuss the environmental and congenital factors that affect a healthy lifestyle, quality of life and behavior during illness; structures and systems in the human body, principles and basic processes, including vocabulary related to the structure and functions of the human body; the basic structure of the different body systems; developing awareness of food and sensible nutrition; developing awareness of the importance of teeth and their health; and nurturing behaviors to maintain a healthy lifestyle and a good quality of life.

Final grade components: active participation and submission of assignments 30%, final exam 70%.

Fundamentals of Genetics

Lecturer: Dr. Sharif Ghanem 

Course type: Lecture + exercise, 2 weekly-hrs., Semester

The purpose of the course is to expose students to basic concepts in the field of classical genetics, principles of heredity theory, mechanisms that determine inherited traits and mechanisms of hereditary diseases.

Final grade components: active participation and submission of assignments 30%, final exam 70%.

Genetic Diseases

Lecturer: Dr. Sharif Ghanem 

Course type: Lecture + exercise, 2 weekly-hrs., Semester

The purpose of the course is to expose students to the genetic basis of common hereditary diseases, to the connection between prenatal diagnosis and the discovery of genetic disorders, to the diagnosis and treatment of genetic diseases and syndromes, to genetic research tools, along with the social and ethical impact of genetic testing and other dilemmas in the field of genetic counseling.

Final grade components: active participation and research presentation 20%, final exam 80%.

Microbiology

Lecturer: Dr. Sharif Ghanem

Course type: Lecture and laboratory work, 2 weekly- hrs., Semester

The purpose of the course is to expose students to the world of microorganisms, their properties, their inherent harmful and beneficial potential, and to the principles of working with microorganisms and their origin in the various water types.

Final grade components: active participation and submission of exercises and reports 40%, final exam 60%.

Science and Technology Curriculum in Elementary School 

Lecturer: Mr. Mahmud Zoabi (M.Sc)

Course type: Lecture + exercise, 2 weekly-hrs., Annual

This annual course aims to present to students the development of science and technology curricula for elementary schools in Israel. The course will focus on the science and technology curriculum updated and adapted to the Ministry of Education’s policy regarding meaningful learning and the learner’s functions and was further adapted to the era of digital learning. The purpose of the course is to bring the learners to an in-depth and practical understanding of the foundations, principles, and pedagogical processes of Future Oriented Pedagogy (FOP) upon which this program was built. And this is in order to train them for optimal implementation of the program in the classroom. The course is based on constructivist learning that seeks to assimilate the principles of constructivism and active learning among the students as future teachers.

Final grade components: final paper – 1st semester theoretical 50%, 2nd semester applied 50%.

Teaching Science and Technology in Grades 1-2

Lecturer: Mr. Mahmud Zoabi (M.Sc)

Course type: Workshop, 2 weekly-hrs., Semester

The course focuses on the applied context of the curriculum that was updated and adapted to the policy of the Ministry of Education for grades 3-6, emphasizes meaningful learning and learner functions, and is also adapted to the current era of digital learning. It is designed to allow students to try to get to know the pedagogical processes and principles on which the program was built, so that later on they can implement optimal teaching-learning-evaluation processes. It is designed to enable students to become familiar with the pedagogical processes and principles on which the program was built, so that later on they can apply optimal teaching-learning-evaluation processes. Studying in the course is mainly based on the contents and process specifications of the curriculum for grades 1-2.

Final grade components: final paper 100%.

Teaching Science and Technology in Grades 3-6

Lecturer: Mr. Mahmud Zoabi (M.Sc)

Course type: Lecture and workshop, 2 weekly-hrs., Semester

The course focuses on the applied context of the curriculum that was updated and adapted to the policy of the Ministry of Education for grades 3-6, emphasizes meaningful learning and learner functions, and is also adapted to the current era of digital learning. It is designed to allow students to try to get to know the pedagogical processes and principles on which the program was built, so that later on they can implement optimal teaching-learning-evaluation processes. It is designed to enable students to become familiar with the pedagogical processes and principles on which the program was built, so that later on they can apply optimal teaching-learning-evaluation processes.

Final grade components: final paper 100%.

Development of Scientific Thinking

Lecturer: Mr. Mahmud Zoabi (M.Sc)

Course type: Lecture and workshop, 2 weekly-hrs., Semester

The course is designed to expose students to the skills, processes and principles of scientific thinking. The course will touch on topics such as scientific thinking and scientific inference and will introduce students to ways of improving them among their pupils. In addition, it will cover learning an outline, the observation tool, the interview tool, comparison, inference, identifying components and connections, sorting, questions, various viewpoints, raising diverse options for solving a problem, hypothesis, isolating variables, representing information or knowledge in diverse ways, argumentation, the justification and evaluation of knowledge.

Final grade components: final paper 100%.

Developing Creative Thinking 

Lecturer: Mr. Mahmud Zoabi (M.Sc)

Course type: Lecture, 2 weekly-hrs., Semester

The course offers a comprehensive introduction to creative thinking. Among its goals: understanding the importance and definition of creative thinking; perfecting the ways to cultivate it among students; getting to know the factors that hinder its cultivation; approaches to the study of creativity, and their development; working with models for cultivation of creative thinking and developing such models.

The course, delivered in an innovative model of “students teaching students”, transfers the weight of the academic activity from the lecturer to the students, putting them at the center.

Final grade components: peer evaluation 60%, self-evaluation 40%.

Life Sciences Principles and Processes 

Lecturer: Mr. Mahmud Zoabi (M.Sc)

Course type: Lecture + exercise, 2 weekly- hrs., Semester

The course is designed to impart knowledge and understanding of central phenomena, processes and principles that operate in the world of living things, including the ability of living things to function in their natural environment, interactions and nutrition between different organisms and between organisms and their natural environment, human intervention in the natural environment, evolution of living things, and more. The course seeks to bring the students to an in-depth and thorough learning of key processes and principles in life sciences, through their full participation in the learning process by way of questions and discussions during classes. The materials provided during the course are accessible to students in various forms: websites, presentations, videos, scientific articles, exercises and more.

Final grade components: final exam100%.

Didactics in Science – A (Teaching Training)

Lecturer: Dr. Manal Khazan 

Course type: Workshop, 2 weekly-hrs., Annual

The purpose of the workshop is to train students to be science and technology teachers in elementary school, both on a theoretical and a practical level. It is designed to develop the professional knowledge components necessary for leading pedagogical literacy in the field, and to delve deeper into the content areas of the disciplines’ updated curriculum. The workshop emphasizes familiarity with the guiding principles in planning science and technology studies; with policy papers dealing with teaching-learning-evaluation planning; with the specification of the recommended contents by age; with direct and explicit teaching of scientific research skills; and with higher-order thinking strategies. It is also designed to allow students to gain experience in planning and implementing lesson plans according to the learning cycle; in planning scientific research and teaching in a technological high school; in thinking processes and thinking strategies in science and technology studies, and the pedagogical models used to understand and apply them in different contexts; to practice observation and self-experience in teaching in accordance with the theoretical principles taught, as well as responding to the differences between students with the help of differential teaching programs and alternative evaluation models, formative evaluation and summative evaluation in science teaching.

Final grade components: portfolio 70%, class delivery 20%, class participation, attendance and general impression 10%.

Didactics in Science – B 

Lecturer: Dr. Manal Khazan 

Course type:  Workshop, 2 weekly-hrs., Annual

The course is designed to provide students with a theoretical and practical understanding and familiarity with teaching science and technology in elementary school, and to develop the professional knowledge components necessary for the pedagogical literacy of leading teachers in the field. It exposes them to the guiding principles for constructing a school curriculum in science and technology and enables the establishment and deepening of knowledge in the relevant content fields. Students are also exposed to policy papers relating to the planning of teaching-learning-evaluation, to pedagogical models and teaching-learning- evaluation strategies in science and technology studies, among others also those adapted to the computerized learning environment of the current era, and gain experience in constructing lesson plans, tests and scientific texts, while acquiring tools to respond to differences between learners. In addition, they get an opportunity to experiment with tools and knowledge and apply them within the framework of observational analysis and actual teaching in accordance with the theoretical principles being taught.

Final grade components: portfolio 70%, conducting a class 30%.

Didactic Workshop in Science – C

Lecturer: Mr. Mahmud Zoabi (M.Sc)

Course type: Workshop, 2 weekly-hrs., Annual

The course deals with the implementation of the principles, processes, approaches and pedagogical tools that constitute the foundation of the science and technology curriculum for elementary school, as well as the recent reforms by the Ministry of Education which focuses on “Ofek Pedagogy” and the significant learning reform. The course is intended for third-year students and is based on the knowledge acquired in previous courses, with the goal that the students would apply it during their practical teaching experience.

The learning is conducted in pairs that carry out learning tasks about which there is a discussion using the peer learning method. At the center of the course are the principles of meaningful learning, students’ functionality, higher-order thinking, the personal learning system model (PLS), the diagrammatic analysis model of arguments, the learning circle model, and more.

Final grade components: ongoing assignments 100%.