MadaTech – Come and be exposed to the intriguing world of Science at the National Museum in Haifa
About 350,000 people visit each year the National Museum of Science, MadaTech, which succeeds in a unique, enjoyable and attractive way to bring children, youth and adults closer to the world of science and technology. Have you visited the museum yet?
Yet before science, some history
The Israel National Museum of Science, Technology and Space, named MadaTech in short, was established in Haifa in 1984. The 3- storey building, located in the heart of a 28 dunam campus, served in the past the Technion students before their activity transferred to the Technion campus in Nave Sha’anan.
The historic building was inaugurated in 1925, about 13 years after laying the cornerstone. During these years the building underwent many hands, starting with the Germans, through the Turks and ending with the British until the Jewish Agency attained legal ownership on the building and fulfilled the vision of Paul Nathan, who was the first to acquire the land already in 1912. The vision was an instructive institute in the fields of technology in Haifa, where Jews would be able to study technical subjects (banned in many East European countries) aiming to improve their situation and encourage additional immigration of Jews to Eretz Israel.
Exhibitions, activity and a cinema
Over 20 exhibitions are presened at the National Museum of Science, MadaTech, exposing you and your children to the world of science, technology and space through interactive exhibits and diversified activities. These operate on most of the senses creating together a sensory experience in which you learn, discover, see and even (unlike most museums) touch.
Among the permanent exhibitions at the Museum of Science, MadaTech, you may enjoy an exhibition presenting the 101 most important inventions along history. You may learn and even experience interactively the dangers on the roads in order to know how to wary of them. In the museum there are unique show rooms such as a dark room, where you will learn and be impressed by light, the mirror room, where you will learn about the many illusions staring at us from the mirrors, and additional rooms. In addition to exhibitions, many educational activities are held at the museum. At the MadaTech there are more than ten advanced laboratories where workshops for groups are held, enabling each and every person to experience and explore on their own. An educational program is adapted to each group matching the visitors’ age, level, mother-tongue, and even according to their visiting hour at the museum.
The museum also operates a cinema, screening in 3D and offering the audience a multi-sensory experience. The senses of smell, touch, sight, hearing all come alive thanks to the state-of- the- art imaging effects and technology. Lectures, shows, scientific illustrations and more may be added to what the place offers during holidays and vacations and even in weekends. It is important to note that a visit to the MadaTech museum can easily take an entire day. If you desire to make the most of your visit, even if it lasts a shorter period, it is recommended to focus on the fields closed to your hearts and select one of the structured tracks.
On the way to Knowledge
The Israel National Museum of Science, Technology and Space, MadaTech, is located in the heart of Hadar neighborhood and it can be reached by a short walk from the Carmelit Massada station or from Ha’Nevi’im station, since both stations are located in Hadar Neighborhood. The Museum of Science constitutes a leading attraction in Haifa, both for children and adults, and attracts many visitors, making the arrival by public transportation even more attractive. Nearby the MadaTech museum are Herzel and Hechalutz streets, which are considered the central streets of Hadar Neighborhood, where many and diversified shops are located.