01 February 2008 Astronauts inspire Kadima Mada students Nearly 200 Israeli students from high schools participating in World ORTs Kadima Mada (Science Journey) programme have gathered in the coastal town of Kiryat Yam for a day of space-related activities in memory of the countrys first astronaut, Colonel Ilan Ramon. NASAs Captain Michael Lopez Alegria, who holds the American records for the number and duration of space walks and for the longest single space mission, gave a lecture and answered questions. At the memorial ceremony that started yesterdays activities, Colonel Ramons widow, Rona, said the period around todays anniversary of the Columbia shuttle disaster, in which her husband died five years ago, was always difficult for her. But when I look around and see all these young people and see how interested they are in learning about science and space I know that Ilan would have been very happy. And that makes me happy, too, Mrs Ramon said. Mrs Ramon thanked World ORT and the city of Kiryat Yam for organising the event and the Ministry of Science, Culture and Sport for hosting the NASA delegation, which also included relatives of two of the other six astronauts who died on the Columbia mission, astronaut Sunita William, NASA scientist Nagin Cox, and Gerhardt Thieli, a German astronaut and friend of her late husband. The Head of the World ORT Representative Office in Israel, Rony Kalinsky, said it was gratifying to see how the students, who came from 25 schools across the country (other Kadima Mada schools were unable to send students because of the snow storms that had struck the north of the country), acted cohesively when divided into study groups. This is the first time that we have gathered students together from most of the Kadima Mada schools so it was difficult to know what to expect, Mr Kalinsky said. But they found the subject matter so interesting that they easily collaborated in the study groups. The teenagers were divided into four groups, each one focusing on a different aspect of space: a mini planetarium, the GPS satellite navigation system, meteors and rockets. Its been very inspiring, said Ben Malka, 16, one of four students from Beer Sheva. Activities like this encourage us to learn about science. Later, a competition was announced in which students at each school will conduct research projects on science, space and agriculture. The finals will be held in November. Dana Lin Barnet, a scientist with Rafael Advance Defence Systems, also addressed the students and stressed the importance of space research. Her contribution was particularly welcome, said Mr Kalinsky. We want to encourage girls to study science. The Mayor of Kiryat Yam, Shmuel Siso, in his address to the students, said Colonel Ramon set an example for them all, both as an air force pilot who defended his country and through his universalistic scientific endeavours. His was a truly Israeli spirit: a patriot who sought to provide a better future for the whole human race, Mayor Siso said. He also thanked World ORT for its contribution to improving science and technology education in his municipality. As partners in education, together we will build the future, he said. The days events were held at Rodman High Schools science campus, which has been chosen as the focus of the Science City project the conversion of its under-resourced science block into a well equipped centre, to be named the D. Dan and Betty Kahn Science Centre to serve the city of 45,000 people as well as Rodmans own students and residents of nearby towns. The Rashi Foundation is a partner in this development, which represents a strengthening of World ORTs Kadima Mada programme. In its first year of activity, Kadima Mada has seen custom made, state-of-the-art laboratories and staff facilities as well as teacher training and material support for poor students provided at more than 30 campuses across Israel.