Makhtesh Ramon offers a glimpse into 250 million years of geological history. Tours along its edge and observations into its depths offer opportunities to learn basic geological principles, such as continental drift, horizontal stratification, and the processes of erosive crater formation (“Makhtesh”). A preliminary survey among high school students in Mitzpe Ramon revealed that most were unfamiliar with these concepts. The geological time trail was created to tackle various challenges by employing a multidisciplinary approach that involves geologists, educators, and media experts. This trail features rock samples displayed along the crater promenade and includes a gamified app that provides geological content through QR codes placed near the rock samples.
The use of QR codes aims to minimize friction related to religious beliefs. However, there were instances of vandalism that often rendered the QR codes unusable, limiting visitors' ability to access the app. This gave further validity to the challenge of making geology accessible in the public sphere. To protect the trail, students from the environmental-religious yeshiva in Mitzpe Ramon were recruited. They participated in a special program that trained them to become "guardians of the trail”. The curriculum included lessons and field trips focused on basic geology topics, such as the rock cycle, rock classification, and the formation of the makhtesh. For their final project, the yeshiva students guided younger students from the local religious elementary school along the geological time trail. They used some of the rock samples as stages in the time frame of the Makhtesh formation while conducting experiential learning.
The collaboration with the yeshiva students yielded valuable insights into the relationship between the religious community and the subject, which led to adjustments in geological knowledge to serve the public sphere better, while fostering a sense of connection and responsibility for their geological landscape.