Israeli firm launches science tablet for classroom use

“Smart” science tools from the Rosh Ha’ayin-based Fourier Education are now shipping to schools across the world.

By SHARON UDASIN
Einstein tablet370 (photo credit: Courtesy)
Einstein tablet370
(photo credit: Courtesy)
Aiming to improve what he calls an ever-increasing deficiency in the quality of young children’s science education, Ken Zwiebel is expected to see his company’s Einstein Tablets hit the global market on Sunday.
The Einstein Tablet and several other related “smart” science tools from the Rosh Ha’ayin-based Fourier Education are now shipping to schools across the world.
They are dedicated to the study of science and make use of more than 65 sensors that work with experiments, the company said. Hoping to provide school children – through high school – with an integrative learning experience, the tablet incorporates built-in sensors to c o n n e c t with experiments , interactive multimedia activities and user analysis applications.
“We chose the name ‘Einstein’ because [Albert] Einstein has become a symbol of curiosity and scientific innovation,” said Zwiebel, CEO of Fourier.
“We use his name with the consent of the Hebrew University which is responsible for his intellectual legacy.”
Perhaps the most important part of the Einstein Tablet for Zwiebel is its ability to unify technology and content on a single platform. He said it is “a tablet of the future that will lead to a revolution in the science studies in the education system.”
This he attributes to a simplistic system that allows students to perform complex laboratory experiments in a tangible way and in a minimal period of time.
International technological advancements in the past decade have led to changes in students’ learning habits and education systems, making the Einstein system a well-suited solution for fast and integrative scientific experimentation, Zwiebel said.
The Einstein Tablet is composed of four major elements: Hardware data storage, data analysis application, reports and work preparation for teachers and rich content, explained Fourier.
The fully equipped version of the tablet has eight internal sensors to measure humidity, heart rate, temperature, light, UV, microphone, accelerometer and GPS. A lighter version has three sensors – a microphone, accelerometer and GPS.
In addition to the internal sensors are 65 external ones available with mini-USB connectivity, covering topics like biology, chemistry, physics, math, water quality, human physiology, electricity and magnetic field, earth sciences and environmental science.
Aside from the tablet, Fourier has launched the MultiLab 4 real-time data analysis program for any computer and the MiLAB data analysis app for Android – and in the future for iOS – the company said.
For schools that already have computer or tablet systems that they do not wish to upgrade, Einstein has also created a device called the LabMate, which can connect to existing computers and tablets and comes with or without the sensors.
Fourier has been operating in the field of education technology since 1989, and sells its products in about 60 countries, in multiple languages.
The company collaborates with a leading technology firms such as HP, Acer and Intel – and 95 percent of sales occur outside Israel.
The controlling shareholder of Fourier is Canadian businessman Hershey Friedman, also the owner of Azorim, as well as of Dun and Bradstreet Israel. Fourier is a member of the European Schoolnet organization of the European Union, which aims to promote technology education among its members and related countries.
“The world of science education is not new to us,” Zwiebel told The Jerusalem Post on Thursday.
“What is new to us is bridging the gap in younger children’s science education.”
Fourier is No. 1 in the Israeli science education technology market and No. 3 in the US, yet most of the products are not sold domestically. Zwiebel attributes this to the budgetary deficiencies in the Education Ministry.
Calling the Einstein products his “brainchild,” Zwiebel said he hopes to see an increased connection in the future between scientific classroom content and technology, in Israel and around the world.
Already, Fourier has sold out of the Einstein Tablets from the company’s initial 2013 production run, and they are now launching a second one, he said.
With the goal of introducing kids around the world to a love of science, Zwiebel said he hopes the Einstein technologies can become “the next great thing.”