The Model School Network (MSN) program held an award ceremony and luncheon today to acknowledge the work of the 40 volunteers from Al-Quds University who facilitated visits to the Science and Museums by students from participating MSN schools.  The volunteers played a significant role in the success of these visits by guiding and providing explanation of exhibits.

MSN is a USAID-funded school improvement project administered by AMIDEAST in partnership with the Ministry of Education.  The project involves 57 public and private schools in the West Bank.  Extracurricular and enrichment activities, such as visits to the Al-Quds University Math and Science Museums, are important parts of the project.

The award ceremony began with a welcome speech by Dr. Chris Shinn, the Chief of Party of the MSN program.  Dr. Shinn expressed his gratitude to the volunteers for their efforts and emphasized the positive impact these visits had on the students.  He mentioned that student evaluations following the visits were positive and that students had gained knowledge.  Dr. Shinn noted that an additional evaluation process was underway for volunteers and supervisors to offer suggestions to improve the program for future visits by participating schools.

Museum volunteers and supervisors thanked AMIDEAST for the opportunity to work with the MSN program.  They cited the many positive aspects for all who were involved in the student visits.

MSN presented Certificates of Merit to the Al-Quds volunteers and supervisors for their work in the program.