Israel National Museum of Science, Technology and

In a nutshell

Israel National Museum of Science,

Technology and Space

Established in 1984, Madatech- the Israel National Museum of Science, Technology and Space is housed in two historic landmark buildings in mid-town Haifa. Designed, at the turn of the century, by renowned German Jewish architect, Alexander Baerwald, these were home to the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Israel’s first institution of higher education.

Every year, about 200,000 visitors (of Israel’s 6.85 million) of all ages, backgrounds and geographic locations, take part in the Museum's broad array of innovative, interactive science activities. Of these, half are kindergarten to high school students, who participate in exciting hands-on scientific demonstrations and laboratory experiments at "Madatech Education" - the Museum’s Center for Education in Science & Technology. The myriad of innovative Education Center programs, coupled with 450 stimulating Museum-produced permanent and changing interactive exhibits render the learning of scientific principles fun, ignite their curiosity, spark their interest, inspire creativity, and stimulate youngsters' active pursuit of knowledge. They illustrate the evolution of science and demonstrate principles underlying technological advancements that permeate every facet of our modern lives: from mechanics to electricity and magnetism, to optics, acoustics, aeronautics and communication, and much, much more.

A variety of outreach programs engage children and youth in the farthest corners of the country. The OlympiYeda Annual Science Competition attracts thousands of Israeli teenagers, while the Mobile Science Laboratory, the first of its kind in Israel, travels to schools countrywide, engaging both students and their teachers in cutting-edge science.

Audiences of all ages attend the Museum’s popularized seminars & lecture series, which focus on the vital interaction between science and society.

An extensive Historic Collection of scientific instruments and equipment has led the Israeli Government to designate the Museum, the country’s National Archive for Scientific Instruments.

The Museum’s Israeli Friends & American Friends assist in promoting the Museum and its message, both in Israel and in North America, and in garnering support for its special projects, physical development and varied educational programs.

Museum activities are under the auspices of the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology. They are overseen by a 21-person Board, chaired by Leon Recanati, one of Israel's leading business people and entrepreneur Maj.-Gen. (res.) Eitan Ben Eliahu, former commander of the Israeli Air Force. Prof. Yoram Zvirin is Museum director. The Museum staff comprises 70 permanent employees, 40 student guides and instructors, as well as 30 volunteers.

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