On 9 November, the Walid and Helen Kattan Science Education Project (WHK) participated in the UNESCO World Science Day for Peace and Development 2013, which took place in Citta Della Scienza in Napoli, Italy. Project researcher, Bisan Battrawi, presented a paper entitled "Experiences of Public Engagement in Science in Palestine” where she discussed both theory and practical experiments related to the project's Informal Science Programme, which is concerned with teaching science in informal contexts in order to highlight the importance of science to the Palestinian society.
Battrawi discussed the project’s experience in science teaching and learning through what are known asScience Snacks and Scientific Cafés, as well as social media networks as media for informal educational methods. She discussedhow “Palestine Science Days” Festival - of which WHK was part for the first time this year would help in bridging the gap between formal and informal learning where students and teachers were leading the Festival’s activities.
By participating in such international science events, the Kattan Science Project aims to build a network of support, through which researchers and teachers can share the results of their work, learn about new approaches to teaching and learning science, and explore opportunities for future joint projects.