Sparks of Science
Ethiopian-Israeli high school students who live in the Rehovot area and are curious to discover what makes the world tick need look no further – our labs are waiting especially for you!
School's out, you come home and ... now what? Twice a week you have the chance to jump on a Davidson Institute bus and visit our open laboratories, where you can explore new fields of science, engage in scientific experimentation, and meet other students as well as Ethiopian-Israeli researchers and academics who have made a place for themselves in the local industry.
The program's various classes cater to the subjects the participants study in school and are tailored by grade (9th, 10th, 11th or 12th).
Ninth-grade students, for example, get a taste of all science subjects – chemistry, physics, biology, and computers – before anyone else. Eleventh-grade students focus on the scientific subject they chose to focus on in school, and twelfth-grade students will be able to use our help to study for matriculation exams.
But it's not all about schoolwork: Throughout the year the program hosts three-day camps with fun activities you can enjoy with your friends: Sleep in our youth village and participate in team-building activities – including some that help you prepare for your upcoming military service. Feel like ordering pizza at the end of the day? Go for it – our treat!
Audience:
Ethiopian-Israeli students grades 9-12, who live in and around Rehovot. The program is also relevant for students who wish to volunteer for the Perach Tutorial Project.
Time:
Throughout the school year, once or twice a week after school, for 4 hours. A two-day science camp is held three times during the year. The program runs for four years.
Place:
The Sparks of Science program is held at the Davidson Institute of Science Education at the Weizmann Institute in Rehovot.
Price:
The program is sponsored by the Pergament family and the New York Community Appeal (UJA). A small, additional administration fee is required.
How:
School principals and teachers whose students meet the program's requirements are welcome to recommend candidates starting in the 8th grade, who will be invited for interviews at the Davidson Institute of Science Education.
More about the program
Something extra about Sparks of Science
The program runs simultaneously in three tracks:
- Weekly meetings: These four-hour sessions take place at the Weizmann Institute in small groups, according to the students' academic levels, and are facilitated by students from the Weizmann Institute and other universities as part of the Perach Tutorial Project. The meetings are devoted to the study of mathematics, computer science, chemistry, physics, and biology. There are also study groups dedicated to learning the English language, as it is imperative for the study of science, technology, and other fields.
- Science camps: An enrichment framework held three times a year. These camps cater to students from various educational and experimental scientific fields and offer them additional learning experiences designed to broaden their horizons.
- Empowerment workshops: Led by professional facilitators and held in small groups, these workshops seek to deal with issues such as developing a proper decision-making process, leadership, and values. This framework aims to strengthen students' personal abilities, confidence, and leadership skills.
For more information, visit the Hebrew site.
