Page 46 - Climate Conference - EBook 2023: Al-Qasemi Academy

The crisis of climate change presents humanity and the education system with a significant
challenge and opportunity to develop educational leadership and prepare future citizens for personal
responsibility and commitment to the environment. According to the IPCC, climate change is caused
by human activities and poses a severe threat to the planet's ecosystems and human well-being (1).
Climate change poses significant threats to the planet and its inhabitants, including the Arab society
in Israel, which is already experiencing its effects. Despite the challenges, climate education remains
a relatively new and underdeveloped field in the Arab community in Israel. This lecture aims to
explore the need for climate education in this community, its current status, and how it can be
improved to better equip individuals to address climate change impacts based on the ministry of
education curriculum (2). The lecture will provide insights into how climate education can be
implemented in this specific cultural and social context to promote climate resilience and
sustainable development among the Arab society in Israel. The traditional agricultural environment in
Arab society in Israel could serve as an infrastructure for developing a positive relationship with the
land and the environment and integrating the STEAM approach into future kindergartens (3) and
education for children and adults, developing scientific literacy skills and critical thinking, which are
essential for brain architecture development in preschool children (4).
The project is progressing in various pathways, including: the envisaged program on climate change
education in schools among the Arab society comprises leadership training of national instructors,
professional development courses for teachers on climate change, and provision of support for the
development of climate education initiatives in schools, including weather monitoring, tree planting,
and nature garden development; and the organizing of seminars and conferences within the Arab
society, intended for teachers, students, and parents.
Keywords: climate change; Arab community; STEAM ;
Biography: Muhamad Hugerat: Professor of Science Education; Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry
from The Hebrew University- Jerusalem. Former Vice-President of the Academic Arab
College for Education (AACE) in Israel – Haifa, Former Dean of the science education
department, Former Dean of Continuing Education Department, Head of SALiS (Student
Active Learning in Science) Center, Head of ARTIST (Action Research to Innovate Science
Teaching) Center. Editor of "DARUNA" – journal of AACE. Researcher in the institute of
science education-the galilee society, Shefar-Am. He has conducted research in many
areas of science education (e.g., learning environment, laboratory work, Science Education
in all level ages, Microscale and Nano laboratories, teaching science through research,
argumentation and sustainability in science education, History and philosophy of science,
Green and Environmental Science education). He published several articles in different
international journal. He wrote many teaching books in science education to the schools of
Israel. He has been involved in organising and speaking at many national and international
Science Education conferences.