The Margolin House of Science (“Beit Margolin”) at the Oranim Academic College of Education was established in 1947 following the passing of the naturalist and science educator Yehoshua Margolin.
Margolin believed that the knowledge of nature is the best way to link a society to their land. With that purpose, Margolin established the first zoological collection in Israel, travelled throughout Israel to collect specimens, trained school and kindergarten teachers, taught children, and developed their love of nature.
Margolin’s goal was to establish a Biological-Pedagogical Institute in Jezreel Valley, similar to the one he established in Tel Aviv. He selected the forested area of Tel Alexander as a perfect location to construct the new campus for biological studies.
On October 10th, 1947, a month after his funeral, across from his grave, the cornerstone for Margolin House of Science was established at Tel Alexander. Following Margolin’s request, the biological collections were split between the Biological-Pedagogical Institute of Tel Aviv and the Margolin House of Science (at Oranim Academic College of Education).
Information about Yehoshua Margolin, and a copy of his publications (in Hebrew) are available online and are housed at the library of the Oranim Academic College of Education.
