Bloomfield Science Museum Jerusalem (BSMJ)

Their core work

Bloomfield Science Museum Jerusalem (known as MadaTech) is a leading Israeli science museum that specializes in public engagement with science and STEM education. Within EU research projects, they serve a dual role: they are a trusted partner for science communication and public outreach in large-scale research initiatives (notably the Human Brain Project), and they design and deliver hands-on maker education and inquiry-based learning programs. Their real-world contribution is bridging complex research to the general public, schools, and communities — translating neuroscience, nanotechnology, and other advanced topics into accessible experiences.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In 2014-2017, BSMJ focused on broad science outreach — European Researchers' Night events, gender equity in STEM (Hypatia), and nanotechnology public dialogue (NANO2ALL). From 2018 onward, they deepened in two directions: sustained involvement in the Human Brain Project across multiple grant agreements, and a growing focus on hands-on maker education and open schooling. Their coordination of Make it Open (2020-2023) marks a step up from participant to project leader in the education space.

BSMJ is evolving from a general public engagement partner toward designing and leading participatory STEM education programs, with deep roots in neuroscience communication.

How they like to work

BSMJ overwhelmingly joins as a participant (11 of 13 projects), contributing specialized public engagement and education expertise to large consortia — the Human Brain Project alone involves hundreds of partners. They coordinated one project (Make it Open), showing they can lead when the topic aligns with their core museum mission. With 245 unique partners across 28 countries, they are a well-connected node in Europe's science education network, but not a repeat-partnership organization — they plug into diverse consortia as needed.

With 245 unique consortium partners across 28 countries, BSMJ has one of the broadest networks you'd find for a science museum — largely thanks to the massive Human Brain Project consortia. Their connections span major European research institutions, universities, and science centers.

What sets them apart

BSMJ is one of very few Israeli organizations deeply embedded in European research consortia through H2020, and the only science museum with sustained participation in the Human Brain Project. This gives them a rare combination: they can translate frontier neuroscience into public-facing exhibits, school programs, and community engagement. For consortium builders, they offer credible non-academic public engagement capacity, geographic diversity (Israel), and proven experience in responsible research and innovation communication.

Highlights from their portfolio

• Make it Open
  Their only coordinated project and largest single grant (EUR 330,750), focused on maker education, FabLabs, and citizen science — signals their strategic ambition in STEM education.
• HBP SGA3
  Third consecutive Human Brain Project grant agreement, demonstrating sustained trust as the public engagement partner in Europe's flagship brain research initiative.
• SySTEM 2020
  Substantial funding (EUR 254,677) for connecting out-of-classroom science learning — their second-largest funded project and core to their education mission.