National Space Contest in memory of STS-107 Crew: Nation-Wide Space Learning Experience

摘要

The educational enterprise - a national space contest - was a first of its kind in Israel. It was focused on an active research and participation of thousands of high school students nationwide, in an online space related quiz, followed by a more complex research assignment, culminating in a public event, which included presentations, exhibition and awards ceremony. On February 1st, 2003, the space shuttle Columbia was lost during its Re-entry to Earth's atmosphere. Among the crew of STS-107 was Israel's first astronaut - the late air force colonel Ilan Ramon. This nation-wide space learning experience was a successful tool to boost the learning of Physics, Biology, Astronomy and Mathematics in schools, regardless of each school prior experience with space sciences. This article will portray the rational, structural and framework of the space contest. Additional benefits and thoughts on implementation of the enterprise to other countries and lessons for future contest will be discussed.