Stars and STEM Stories
GLOBE Schools in Malta and Israel Reach Beyond National Boundaries in Collaborative Video Conference
On 11 February 2020, the GLOBE Country Coordinator of Israel, Ms. Rafaela Babish, along with the GLOBE Deputy Country Coordinator of Malta, Ms. Ramona Mercieca, coordinated a video conference with schools in Malta and Israel to celebrate The GLOBE Program’s 25th Anniversary – and to reach beyond borders in a collaborative learning endeavor.
“The students’ love and enthusiasm about traditions and the significance of trees in their countries’ cultures led to an amazing learning experience during a video call between four schools,” Mercieca said. “Students from Gozo College Rabat Primary School (Victoria, Gozo, Malta) and Begin Elementary School (Dimona, Israel) each sang a song about trees and nature in their own language, while students attending Gozo College Middle School (Victoria, Gozo, Malta) and Mosenson Youth Village High School (Hod Hasharon, Israel) read a tree blessing in Maltese and Hebrew, plus a translation in English, the communicating language.”
“Two trees, a fig tree and an olive tree, symbolizing peace, were planted on the school grounds of each of the schools at the end of the video call, in honour of this international friendship. Plaques in English and Hebrew, to commemorate the event were placed next to the trees.”
Students from Mosenson Youth Village High School (Hod Hasharon, Israel), plant a fig tree.
Students from Begin Elementary School (Dimona, Israel), plant a fig tree.
"The collaboration between Malta and Israel brought together many students, teachers, and representatives from U.S. Embassies and The GLOBE Program. It provided a unique learning experience where students and teachers are not only contributing to the scientific discovery but they are being exposed to different cultures, languages, and traditions. Before the call on February 11th, students attending Gozo College Middle School researched about Tu Bishvat and shared their knowledge with all students at their school through presentations during the school’s morning assemblies.”
Students from Gozo College Middle School (Victoria, Gozo, Malta), together with their teacher, Ms. Ramona Mercieca, with the newly planted Fig Tree in the school garden.
“This collaboration raised awareness amongst the whole school communities about the importance of trees, and set up an example through tree planting. In fact, schools in Malta linked this GLOBE project with another international program: Learning About Forests (LEAF), internationally coordinated by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and locally by Nature Trust – FEE Malta. LEAF, just like The GLOBE Program, promotes outdoor learning and hands-on experiences which result in the pupils getting a deeper and more involved understanding of the outdoors and nature.”
“This collaboration is a first of its type for The GLOBE Program in Malta and Israel, proving that schools can go beyond their walls and collaborate across countries. It also shows how international programs can be linked together and information learned and collected is shared, creating more awareness all round. ”
To view the video call, click here.
Star Story contributed by GLOBE Deputy Country Coordinator of Malta, Ms. Ramona Mercieca