A New Experience for Garden Visitors!

The Tel Aviv University Botanical Garden, the Yehuda Naftali Garden, is proud to present the "Experience Stations" project—experiential learning installations that combine science, education, and fun. Join us to discover the wonders of nature and experience the world of botany in a refreshing and thought-provoking way.

About the Project

The Tel Aviv University Botanical Garden showcases a vast and unique collection of plants from Israel and around the world. This inviting green oasis, located in the heart of the urban center, allows visitors to stroll through natural surroundings and enjoy a rich botanical experience.

As a center for research and botanical study, the Garden bridges the gap between biodiversity conservation and making the fascinating world of plants accessible to the general public. In addition to scientific research conducted across various fields, the plant collections serve as a dynamic nature museum that renews and changes throughout the seasons.

This space functions as an outdoor classroom for students, schoolchildren, and the public alike. We believe that everyone—child or adult—can discover the magic within the botanical world. Our Experience Stations are designed to make scientific knowledge tangible, accessible, and enjoyable for all.

Experience Stations: Active Learning in Nature

As part of our vision for accessibility and scientific education, we have developed a series of Experience Stations throughout the Garden. These stations were designed according to the principles of experiential learning and scientific inquiry, enabling meaningful learning through direct engagement.

Six Experience Stations have been placed in areas relevant to their content. Each station invites visitors to explore a different aspect of the plant world through activities that combine touch, observation, and experimentation as a means of internalizing botanical concepts.

The exhibits provide unique perspectives, with each station highlighting a specific part of the plant or fundamental botanical principles. These installations invite visitors to look, touch, rotate, experiment, and explore—satisfying natural curiosity and encouraging learning about nature’s immense diversity through play and fun. It is a botanical playground where every station is a new adventure.

The Journey from Seed to Tree

Join us on a journey from the moment a tiny seed germinates until it becomes a sturdy tree. At each station, you will discover a new chapter in the marvelous story of plants:

• Did you know? Some seeds can be dispersed for miles! Discover nature’s various methods for seed dispersal and admire the variety of colors, shapes, and sizes at the Seed Station.

• At the Trunks Station, take a journey through time via tree rings—an introduction to dendrochronology and historical research through tree trunks. Did you know trees also serve as a warm home for various creatures? Want to see what’s hidden under the bark? The answer might surprise you!

• At the Leaves Station, become a botanist for a moment and practice identifying plants based on their leaf structure.

• At the Succulents Station, discover how these plants survive in their unique habitats. Spoiler: They don’t use sunscreen!

• The Flowers Station reveals the wondrous secrets of the interaction between flowers and pollinators—a fascinating evolutionary story of mutual adaptation. It’s a journey into the world of pollination: how shapes, colors, and scents serve as a "secret language" to attract the right pollinator.

• In the Plants in Human Use Greenhouse, you can be a "food critic" for a moment and share your opinion on an exotic vegetarian menu, along with many more surprises waiting to be discovered!

Project Partners and Development

The planning and establishment of this project involved many partners who contributed their creativity and expertise:

• Project Management: Weil Creative Management

• Planning & Design: HaTaasiya

• Production & Installation: Otot HaSadna, Yifrach Studio

• Academic Guidance: Prof. Amram Eshel, Dr. Yuval Sapir

• Scientific Consultation: Dr. Ilana Stein, Prof. Simcha Lev-Yadun, Dr. Danny Simon, Dr. Yuval Sapir, Dr. Laibale Friedman.

• Pedagogical Consultation: The Education Department at the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History.

The project to renew the Garden and enrich the visitor experience was made possible thanks to the generous donation of Mr. Yehuda Naftali.