Mahmiyat.ps Engages in Scientific Exhibition at Terra Sancta College in Bethlehem
Bethlehem: The Mahmiyat.ps project actively participated in the "Terra Sancta Makers of Excellence" scientific and technical exhibition held at Terra Sancta College in Bethlehem. Their environmental segment focused on birdwatching, the use of binoculars, an insect exhibit, and owl pellet analysis.
This engagement between Palestine Reserves and the college is part of a longstanding partnership aimed at training students in the Environmental Club through field trips and classroom sessions on Palestine's natural environment. The college also hosts nesting boxes on its walls to protect migratory swifts during their time in Palestine.
The Environmental Club students showcased approximately 40 photographs capturing Palestine's diverse nature, including birds, mammals, insects, and reptiles.
The three-day exhibition encompassed various educational disciplines such as science, social studies, art, religion, English, Arabic, mathematics, technology, and Arabic calligraphy. These diverse elements were integrated to stimulate innovation among the students.
The environmental corner of the exhibition was made possible with funding from the German Hanns Seidel Foundation as part of the Mahmiyat.ps Project, implemented by the Palestinian Society for Environment and Sustainable Development under the guidance of Mr. Saed Shomali, the Executive Director. The partnership included Terra Sancta College, represented by Prof. Amer Musleh, the supervisor of the Environmental Club.
Mr. Steffan Kudella, the Regional Director of the German Hanns Seidel Foundation, commended the exhibition's various components and reaffirmed the foundation's ongoing support for environmental education in Palestine. He emphasized the importance of promoting environmental awareness among college students through the Mahmiyat.ps project.
The exhibition was graced by the presence of esteemed guests, including Father Tony Shukri, the representative of the Custody of the Holy Land, Father Sandro Tomashevich, the Custody's advisor, Father Rami Askarieh, the priest of the Latin parish of Bethlehem, His Eminence Metropolitan Vindicttus, the patriarchal representative of the Greek Orthodox Church in Bethlehem, Father Issa Thaljieh, the priest of the Nativity parish of the Greek Orthodox Church, Mr. Hanna Hanania, the Mayor of Bethlehem, Mr. Bassam Jaber, the Director of the Education Directorate in the governorate, Mr. Fouad Salem representing the Governor of Bethlehem, Father Antonios Habib, the Director of Terra Sancta Bethlehem College, and his deputy, Prof. Hani Azar. Lieutenant Colonel Ali Salah and Lieutenant Colonel Abdul Karim Arar from the city center police also attended the event.
The Palestine Reserves' participation in the scientific exhibition at Terra Sancta College signifies their commitment to environmental education, encouraging students to appreciate and protect the natural wonders of Palestine.