A Bridge to Academia
A program for excelling and gifted students from the Bedouin community in the south of Israel that exposes them to STEM – studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
“A Bridge to Academia” is a three-year program that aspires to identify and cultivate high school students with high potential in the Bedouin community, expose them to STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) courses on an academic level, increase their motivation and reinforce their skills for the 21st century to ensure quality training and preparation for the academic world in the STEM field and hi-tech industry.
The program consists of academic courses that credit students with academic points while still in high school. In addition, our program works on five main levels:
1. Enrichment in science:The STEM program is taught by Ben Gurion University. In addition to lab visits, students will get the opportunity to receive the highest level of exposure to relevant research.
2. Professional role models: Experts and professionals from academia and industry spend time with the students, to both illustrate and demonstrate professional success in the various industries in which students can integrate in the future.
3. Learning Hebrew: Lessons are conducted in Hebrew, providing participants with an opportunity to improve their language skills with the aim of placing them on a par with native Hebrew speakers ahead of entering the Israeli job market in the future.
4. Soft skills: The program aims, in part, to help participants acquire 21st century skills such as public speaking, self-confidence, team work, complex problem solving, and more.
5. Networking: The combination of all activities helps participants create a social and professional circle that will assist them in the future, as they apply to higher-education institutions and quality employment in senior positions in the hi-tech industry.
A Bridge to Academia was developed with the support and collaboration of Yad Hanadiv Foundation and the Klarman Foundation to identify and support excelling students from the Bedouin community, to help them fulfill their potential while meeting their unique needs due to language difficulties and the academic entry level.
The program exposes students to the academic world in the STEM fields and the opportunities and possibilities that it offers. Over the course of the three-year program, students acquire 21st century learning tools and skills through theoretical and practical learning of the fields of exact sciences, technology, and engineering.
Outstanding 9th grade students from the Bedouin community in the south of Israel, who are passing to the 10th grade, and are studying mathematics on a 5-point level and have chosen or intend to choose 5-point level physics or chemistry or any other scientific field as an expanded subject.
The program takes place over the course of three years, until the end of 12th grade. Studies begin at the start of the academic year and take place every Tuesday afternoon for four hours. Additional concentrated study days take place during holidays over the course of the year.
Screening tests take place at Ben Gurion University, at the Jusidman Center in the Beer Sheva Campus.
Studies usually take place at Ben Gurion University, at the Jusidman Center building, with visits to hi-tech companies and research universities.
2200 NIS a year per student + 65 NIS for screening tests. The tuition fee includes all science workshops and participation in science conferences! Scholarships are also available for students who meet the criteria.
Eligible students will go through a screening process. The screening tests will take place at Ben Gurion University.
To apply, please click the registration button.
Members of the steering committee
