The BOSTAN SPICES initiative: Developing modular empiric education resources to engender community resilience based on shared heritage horticulture renewal.
Submitted by: Guy Bar-Oz & Yael Kali, with input from Joshua Schmidt, Alex Altshuler, Eliezer Baumgarten, Tali Tal, Ornit Sagy, Mirit Shiklis (Shiqmim Field School, SPNI), Yair Farjoun (Hof Ashkelon Regional Council)
The BOSTAN SPICES initiative bridges bioarcheological research and citizen science education to transform shared horticultural heritage into a hands-on platform for community resilience. By integrating cutting-edge research on traditional dryland agriculture with technology-enhanced learning in schools, the project empowers students, teachers, and scientists to collaborate in exploring sustainable practices rooted in the past. Implemented initially in communities facing social and environmental challenges, the initiative fosters scientific literacy, cultural connection, and long-term resilience, advancing multiple Sustainable Development Goals through education, sustainability, and cross-sector partnership.
This project was selected as part of the University’s 2024 Call for Impact Projects, launched by the Division of Innovation & Sustainability to promote research and educational initiatives with significant social and environmental impact. Following a highly competitive selection process, each awarded project received ₪50,000 for a 24-month period to support interdisciplinary collaboration and translate academic knowledge into real-world outcomes.