SOLAR PARK
Touted as
being the crowning jewel of Nitzana, a new solar park is under development with
stage one finished and stage two commencing. This solar park will educate the
young and old alike about the sun, how it affects our lives and the phenomenal
possibilities of capturing and utilizing the energy of the sun to be used as a
main energy source.
Today in our
modern civilizations, humankind needs a source of energy. Currently fossil
fuels are utilized. If we continue to burn fossil fuels for energy, these
natural resources of the earth will become completely depleted, leaving us
without a source for energy. Fossil fuels contribute so greatly to polluting
the earth's atmosphere, that if we continue to use them, life itself will be in
danger of survival.
There is
therefore already today an urgent need to transfer to other sources of energy
such as the sun, wind, biomass, water, hydroelectric, etc. All of these sources
are clean and renewable and must be employed in our lives for the betterment of
mankind and the earth that we live on.
In order to learn and understand more
about these energy concepts, we divided the 
utilized.
·
The
solar system
·
The
sun as a source of heat
·
The
sun as a source of light
·
The
sun as a source of life
·
Alternative
energy
·
Desert
ecosystems
EDUCATIONAL
PROGRAM
A visit to most science museums includes
looking and learning about an exhibit for a few moments and then moving on to
another exhibit. At the end of the visit, one may have an acquaintance with the
concepts viewed but not an in depth understanding. The teaching at Nitzana's 
Interaction will be encouraged by means of specific
projects and studies. Many exhibits will include different sensors to collect
data. For instance in the desert cooling tower, one can know what the humidity
is, the speed of the wind and its direction, the temperature, factors inside
and outside of the tower, global radiation and how much electricity is being
stored in the batteries from photovoltaic solar panels. A highly qualified staff will help visitors and
students to process and understand this information.
Eventually an internet site that will
include this data in real time. People sitting half a world away will be able
to tap into this source of ongoing current information that can be used for
study as well as research and development of new energy sources. At present you
can take a sample
tour of the park online.
We would like to educate the young minds
of tomorrow with an idea that may seem very strange at first and that is, that
electricity does not always have to come from the 'socket in the wall.' We want
to encourage our youth to discover alternative ways to produce energy from the
sun that will eventually become a very normal part of our everyday life.
At present 33% of the park is completed
with a total of 14 exhibits that teach many important concepts in alternative
energy possibilities. The total exhibit area will cover 12,000 square meters.
The final stage of the park will include a main entrance, a workshop,
classrooms and a parking lot for cars and buses.
Originally conceived as a way to promote
science and technology education for the youth of the south of
The solar park was initiated by Nitzana
(Jewish Agency) and the Sacta-Rashi Foundation, one of the leading private
family funds in
Contributions are gladly welcomed to
further the cause of youth education, protection of the environment and
ultimately ensuring a safe earth for man to inhabit.
Contact Information:
Arieh Halfin, Director of Construction
and Development Projects
Sacta-Rashi Foundation 
Kfar
Hanoar Ben Shemen 73112,
Phone: +972-8-914-6600, Fax:
+972-8-921-9404
E-mail: http://www.sacta-rashi.org.il
David Palmach, Director of Nitzana
Educational Community
Kfar Hanoar Nitzana DN
Phone: +972-8-656-1434, Fax: +972-8-655-8471
E-mail: davidpal@jafi.org
Dr. Eli Kalmanzon Ph.D., Director of
Science and Sun
Nitzana Educational Community , DN
Phone: +972-8-656-1420, Fax:
+972-8-656-1446
E-mail: elik@jazo.org.il